Data Analyst - Education Policy Studies

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person (senior) data analyst to assist in creating, managing, and analyzing novel datasets to derive insights and inform education policy decisions. This role encompasses data science, social science, and big data-management projects. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

AEI’s education policy studies department successfully undertakes ambitious data collection and reporting projects to monitor critical issues for the nation’s students and education system. The (senior) data analyst is a key part of these ongoing efforts as the department maintains existing research lines and develops novel approaches in exciting new projects.

The (senior) data analyst will primarily collaborate with Education Policy Studies Deputy Director Nat Malkus on data collection and research projects. This position requires excellent technical and quantitative skills—and the capacity to develop additional skills—as well as high proficiencies in writing, research, communication, and organization. Responsibilities will include creating, cleaning, and analyzing new datasets; conducting statistical analyses; and helping draft research papers and other materials. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated knowledge of quantitative and computational methods and interest in education policy analysis. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask with minimal supervision are essential. A master’s degree in data analytics, quantitative methods, or public policy is preferred.

AEI offers a stimulating and harmonious work environment and excellent benefits. Qualified candidates must submit a cover letter noting quantitative skills and interest in education policy, a résumé, an unofficial academic transcript, and a writing sample with the online application.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Disclaimer for Candidates: To maintain transparency and integrity in the interview process for this position, the use of AI is prohibited. Candidates who use AI to generate application materials, assessments, or interview responses will be disqualified from further consideration. AEI reserves the right to use tools that assess whether AI was used by candidates to produce written application or interview materials and consider the results as a part of the interview process. 

Responsibilities

• Data Analyst
  • Contribute to all stages of the research process, with opportunities to coauthor datasets and research publications.
  • Collect, assemble, and analyze large datasets.
  • Conduct empirical and computational analysis using statistical and econometric methods, machine learning, and natural language processing in R, Python, or SQL.
  • Promote and maintain data and code quality through reproducible extract, transform, and load pipelines and Git or GitHub version control.
  • Create data visualizations, tabulations, graphs, and figures for studies and reports.
  • Assist in drafting scholarly papers, policy papers, and articles aimed at multiple audiences.
• Senior Data Analyst
  • Apply natural language processing and large language model agent orchestration to analyze unstructured text data.
  • Oversee quality assurance workflows to validate model outputs against human labeling.
  • Manage compute and application programming interface costs, balancing performance against price.
  • Manage analytic projects from scoping through final results, elevating and documenting methodological decisions.
  • Manage restricted-use data in compliance with data use agreements, secure data environments, and disclosure-avoidance requirements.
  • Review and replicate analyses for quality control.
  • Serve as a technical point of contact with state education agencies and external collaborators.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is expected to regularly stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• Data analyst: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, economics, statistics, or related discipline is required; a master’s degree in computer science, economics, statistics, or related discipline is preferred. Candidates should have at least one year of previous full-time, applicable work experience.
• Senior data analyst: Preferably a master's degree and two or more years of full-time, applicable experience, or a bachelor’s degree and four or more years of full-time, applicable experience
• Interest in education policy research preferred.
• Fluency in data analysis tools and languages such as R, Python, SQL, and Stata.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods and data science techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to learn new skills.
• Capacity to meticulously document all data processes, methodologies, and analyses.
• Ambitious outlook, comfort with working independently, and readiness to learn new skills as projects demand.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience with natural language processing or automated large language model–based text analysis preferred.

BenefitsAEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $67,000 - $85,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.