Research Analyst (Justice Policy)
Location: Washington, DC
Job ID: R-801423
Salary: Min $52,112- Mid $69,247 – Max $85,672
About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity
For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.
The Opportunity:
The Justice Policy Center’s (JPC) mission is to inform solutions to crime and safety challenges in the interests of promoting effectiveness in justice systems and operations; addressing the harms of victimization and justice system involvement; reducing racial and other inequities; strengthening community-led approaches to safety; and promoting justice, dignity, and well-being for all. We conduct objective, rigorous, interdisciplinary research, evaluation, and policy analysis and deliver data-driven recommendations, training, and technical assistance. In carrying out our research, we seek to center the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the people, practitioners, and communities most affected by crime and the criminal legal system. The Justice Policy Center is seeking a quantitative-focused Research Assistant who can work collaboratively on projects aimed to enhance and measure criminal justice response in the United States.
People from communities that are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and people with direct experience with the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply.
What you’ll do:
Contribute to the design of research projects including the development of conceptual and analytical frameworks for examining justice-related issues, evaluating programs and policies, and understanding the policy context;
Participate in the design of data collection protocols;
Participate in data collection through document review, interviews, and surveys;
Conduct data management and analysis activities, particularly quantitative analysis tasks;
Write reports, policy briefs, and other publications to disseminate findings from research projects;
Manage tasks and deadlines for multiple research projects (small and large), which includes working collaboratively with staff at all levels and troubleshooting potential issues;
Communicate directly with state policy makers, corrections officials, researchers and other criminal justice stakeholders; and
Contribute to proposals for external funding.
Who you are:
The successful candidate will:
Possess academic knowledge of and quantitative research experience in a discipline that is generally associated with the attainment of a master's degree in public policy, economics, sociology, criminology, statistics, or applied economics or a bachelor’s degree with several years of related professional experience.
Have data collection and analysis experience (for example, descriptive statistics, predictive statistics, etc.).
Possess knowledge of STATA, R, or similar software programs.
Have experience conducting research and/or analysis in public and/or private organizations.
Possess high quality oral and written presentation skills.
Exercise familiarity with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and social media tools.
Have experience working in teams.
Possess a self-starter mentality, able to quickly relate to senior level leaders in the criminal justice field.
Possess strong project management skills.
Have a willingness and ability to travel.
Approach research with an attitude of cultural humility, given the nature of research and working with and on behalf of individuals with criminal legal system contact
Deep understanding of racial equity and justice issues and the ability to help researchers bring an equity and inclusion lens to policy research, weaving that perspective throughout programs of work, and informing how problems are defined and evidence is communicated.
When applying, please upload a CV/resume, cover letter, and writing sample. The cover letter should be 1-2 pages and address your interest in joining JPC and how your past work and/or educational experiences would support JPC’s mission and project work. The writing sample should be solely your own work and include a sentence or two noting why you selected the sample. Due to the volume of candidates, please keep your sample to no longer than 5 pages. If you would like to send a longer sample, indicate which 5-page section you would like our team to review.
