Post Doctorate Research Associate

2024 Postdoctoral Associate - up to two-year appointment

Job Summary:

Professor Lisa Gennetian, Duke Sanford, is seeking a postdoctoral research scholar in economics, public policy or a related discipline, to lead and conduct analyses of policies and programs that target poverty, inequality, and economic disadvantage, particularly among young children. The postdoc will work closely with principal investigators on two strains of research. The first is the Baby’s First Years study, a randomized control trial investigating the impacts of a monthly unconditional cash transfer program on child development, subjective well-being, and economic behavior. The second line of work involves research for the Center for Research on Hispanic Families and Children, investigating relationships between policy design and program participation among Latino families and children facing poverty and economic scarcity.

Strong candidates will have substantive and empirical expertise in the topics of studying poverty, social policy and programs, and/or economic and child wellbeing. Experience working with randomized control designs, raw survey data (as well as data from large national datasets such as the ACS, CPS, SIPP, etc.) and econometric approaches are a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Direct and plan analysis and conceptual and design efforts
• Lead data preparation and analyses
• Contribute to proposal drafts and submissions, with co- and principal investigator opportunities
• Opportunities for writing and lead authorship
• Various quality control and family and client communication, dissemination and data monitoring and quality control

Qualifications:

• Experience producing research in economics, public policy, child development or related field
• Ability to take ownership of projects and work within a team
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills; high level of attention to detail. Spanish proficiency is a plus
• Confident and proficient coder using STATA, R, or Python
• Familiarity with advanced statistical techniques and methods including causal models, regression analysis, difference-in-difference, etc.
• Participate in weekly team and data meetings

To apply, please send the following to Dr. Lisa Gennetian at [email protected]:

• An email that includes a description of your background, fit and why you are interested in this position, and contact information for at least two references.

• Sample paper or publication

• Your résumé or CV

Each application will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• The degree of fit of research interests
• How the postdoctoral training will help to further the postdoctoral scholar’s research trajectory
• Demonstrated record of work with quantitative data
• Demonstrated quality of writing
• Strength of letters of support

The review of applicants will begin immediately.  Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Salary is commensurate with experience.

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