Senior Research Program Manager - LEO

LEO is looking for a proactive, self-starter who desires to be part of solving one of the most critical issues our nation faces today – poverty. LEO is seeking a research leader to help drive our mission of generating evidence on effective poverty solutions. In this role, you’ll provide technical oversight and coaching for the team that manages our on-going and newly developing research studies. You’ll coordinate key data collection partnerships. You’ll identify the implications of existing research for LEO’s research agenda and policy engagement. This position requires a strong research background, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate across teams.

Who we are: The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame is a research center dedicated to reducing poverty and improving lives in the United States through evidence-based programs and policies.

Who we need: We are looking for a results-driven research leader with a strong technical background to advance our mission of generating empirical evidence on effective poverty alleviation strategies.

The Senior Research Manager’s top priorities will be:

1. Research Oversight & Strategic Support:
   1. Contribute analytical and methodological expertise to guide day-to-day research decisions of a large number of research teams, ensuring projects align with rigorous economic and policy research standards.
   2. Collaborate closely with PreDocs, who manage individual studies, and the Associate Director of Research Operations (ADRO) to troubleshoot challenges, refine research designs, and enhance project execution.
   3. Apply expertise in causal inference, quasi-experimental methods, and administrative data analysis to strengthen research quality and impact.
2. Manage Connections to University Research Infrastructure
   1. Manage the overall process of connecting individual project teams to university research teams to university infrastructure, including contract management, data sharing, Institutional Review Board, and other required compliance systems.
   2. Serve as the person responsible for overseeing the participation of University of Notre Dame research infrastructure for research projects with external investigators
3. Multi-Project Data Partnership Management
   1. Manage relationships with key administrative data partners and third-party survey providers when they cut across several LEO projects.
   2. Manage technical aspects of data transfer and matching for these multi-project relationships
4. Project Development Technical Input
   1. Provide technical input to the team that develops new potential research projects and help assess their feasibility from a research standpoint and evaluate their potential to impact the relevant research landscape.
   2. Conduct data analysis to assess the viability of quasi-experimental studies and other research methodologies.
5. Synthesize Existing Research
   1. Lead and facilitate the development of white papers on LEO’s strategic priorities. These may help in defining LEO’s focus areas, support in the vetting of new projects, and support LEO’s work affecting policy.
   2. Synthesize research findings and insights to provide strategic direction to LEO’s senior leadership.

Qualifications

Education & Experience: Master’s or Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field

Required:

• Strong experience designing, implementing, and managing research studies.
• Demonstrated ability to use causal, quantitative research methods (RCTs and quasi-experiments).
• Ability to coach more junior staff on technical topics
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to consult on and coordinate multiple research projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in synthesizing research for strategic decision-making.
• Experience with IRB processes, research compliance, and data security protocols.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Prior work matching to administrative data sources and/or fielding surveys.
• Knowledge of poverty research and evidence-based policy evaluation.

Additional Information

Hiring Pay Range: Up to $100,000

Location: This position is located in South Bend, IN. Applicants outside of South Bend may be considered, provided they are available to work on campus 3 days per week.

Term: This is a five-year, limited-term position. Contingent on funding, the position may be extended.