Job Summary:

Professor Lisa Gennetian, Duke Sanford, is seeking an Associate In Research with experience in economics, public policy or a related discipline, to conduct analyses of policies and programs that target poverty, inequality, and economic disadvantage, particularly among young children. The research associate will work closely with faculty and staff on two strains of research. The first is the Baby’s First Years study, a randomized control trial investigating the impacts of an 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, investigating relationships between policy design and program participation among Latino families and children facing poverty and economic scarcity.

Strong candidates will have experience working with raw survey data, as well as data from large national datasets (ACS, CPS, SIPP, etc.), conducting analyses (e.g., summary statistics, regression analysis, specification testing, control methods, displaying results), and preparing documentation and summarizing analyses. Experience cleaning and analyzing data in Stata (preferred), R, or Python is required. Knowledge of U.S. policies that distribute cash or in-kind benefits is a plus.

Responsibilities:

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 

·    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.