Research Specialist
Position Information:
The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth seeks applications for the position of Research Specialist (a year-round, full-time position). We seek candidates who have strong interest and ability to perform quantitative research that aims to shed light on the types of policies and solutions that will contribute to enhanced opportunity and flourishing in North Dakota, the Midwest, and the U.S. The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team that contributes to the Challey Institute’s vision of identifying bottom up solutions aimed at expanding opportunity and flourishing.
Work Schedule:
-Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm
Advertised Salary:
- $70,000 +, depending on experience
Job Responsibilities:
- Perform quantitative and statistical research aimed at understanding barriers to opportunity and flourishing in North Dakota, the Midwest, and the Nation
- Write policy and research briefs that identify implications of proposed policies
- Engage in public writing to amplify the results of research performed
- Speak at local events, with stakeholders, and with media to increase understanding of the types of policies and solutions that contribute to opportunity and flourishing
- Work with the director and others to obtain external funding for research
- Collaborate with faculty in performing research aimed at opportunity and flourishing
Minimum Qualifications:
- Masters degree in economics, data science, public policy, statistics, or a related field expected by Summer 2025
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Strong quantitative skills
- An understanding of and ability to apply statistical methods to a wide variety of research questions
- An appreciation of the role of markets and the private sector in solving important societal problems
- Knowledge of the ways that policies and their unintended effects can influence economic opportunity
- An ability to manage multiple projects at once
- An ability and interest in amplifying research findings by writing in public outlets
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in performing economic, statistical, policy, or related research
- Experience in analyzing the impacts of public policy on society
- Experience writing policy briefs and op-eds
- Experience engaging with different stakeholders
- Experience collaborating with researchers to attract external funding
- Experience in presenting research and speaking to internal and/or external audiences
Nature of the Research Position
The successful candidate for this position will be expected to perform research on emerging issues affecting North Dakota and those deemed important to regional stakeholders. Moreover, the candidate will be expected to nimbly adjust their research priorities based on the needs of various state and regional stakeholders. Although the issues researched in this position will largely be determined based on current state/regional needs, examples of the types of issues researched may include:
- Examining tax policy and its impacts on growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation
- Assessing existing or proposed regulation and its impacts on economic opportunity
- Identifying occupational licensing requirements in different industries and their impacts on opportunity and pricing
- Identifying the types of policies that lead to a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Examining various sectors of the North Dakota economy, their economic contributions to the state, and policies that enhance their success
- Identifying challenges unique to rural areas and potential solutions
- Examining challenges facing North Dakota and the Midwest (e.g. attracting and retaining qualified workers, providing healthcare for rural areas) and policies to mitigate them
- Identifying and addressing barriers to opportunity on Tribal Lands
- Quantifying the impact of trade and trade policy on North Dakota, the Midwest, and the Nation
- Assessing the impacts of proposed policies at the national, state, and local levels (e.g. policies regulating AI, labor regulations, immigration)
Applicant Materials:
Required:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Statement of research experience and interests
Optional: Example of one of your research papers or publications.
Benefits:
NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university – with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth is a research, outreach, and student programming institute at North Dakota State University. The Institute’s mission is to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions for the betterment of society. We aim to identify bottom-up solutions and ways that the private sector can be unleashed to address important problems, increase economic opportunity, and promote human flourishing.
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
EO/AA Statement:
North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.
Diversity Statement:
NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.