Senior Policy Analyst

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As a Senior Policy Analyst with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, you'll join a mission-driven team advancing the university’s commitment to sustainability and resilience through research, education, and policy engagement. .

Be Bold.

As a Senior Policy Analyst, you will play a leading role in applied research and policy analysis focused on the intersection of public finance, infrastructure investment, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Supporting the Program Area Directors at Nicholas Institute, you'll work alongside faculty, policymakers, utilities, development institutions, private-sector partners, and interdisciplinary research teams to evaluate complex policy and investment decisions that shape resilient communities and sustainable economies.

In this highly collaborative role, you will help inform policy and investment strategies related to energy systems, water resources, resilient infrastructure, natural resource management, climate adaptation, and economic growth. Your expertise will help translate rigorous economic analysis into practical, actionable recommendations that support long-term public value and you will gain exposure to a range of energy and environment topics.

The successful candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys working across disciplines and climbing new learning curves, and serves as a trusted thought partner to Institute leaders as they advance ambitious research and policy initiatives.

What You'll Do

Support Research & Policy Analysis

• Conduct applied research on public investment strategies, infrastructure finance, fiscal policy, regulatory frameworks, and economic development.
• Evaluate the economic costs, benefits, risks, and distributional impacts of public investments and policy interventions.
• Analyze the effectiveness of policy tools such as tax incentives, subsidies, concessional finance, public-private partnerships, procurement mechanisms, and regulatory reforms.
• Assess fiscal implications associated with energy transition, environmental management, climate resilience, infrastructure modernization, and natural resource investments.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses related to economic growth, public-sector performance, productivity, environmental outcomes, and infrastructure development.

Influence Decision-Making

• Support Directors to translate complex economic and policy research into clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and institutional leaders.
• Develop policy briefs, reports, white papers, presentations, and publications for diverse audiences.
• Present findings and facilitate discussions with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Collaborate Across Disciplines

• Partner with faculty, researchers, government agencies, utilities, development institutions, and private-sector organizations.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives, proposal development, stakeholder convenings, and collaborative projects.
• Support Institute leadership in advancing strategic priorities and thought leadership efforts.

Advance Sustainable Solutions

• Help identify policy and investment opportunities that promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and public resilience.
• Contribute expertise to projects spanning domestic and international contexts.

Skills

• Strong foundation in economics, public finance, infrastructure policy, environmental economics, or closely related disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex policy and investment decisions using quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Familiarity with energy, water, environmental, climate, or natural resource policy issues.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience conducting research in support of on-going initiatives and deploying core skills across a range of analytical challenges.
• Ability to synthesize economic, policy, financial, and technical information into clear decision-relevant insights.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with high attention to detail in a fast-paced research and policy environment.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Education/Training

Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in a field related to the position (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, science, engineering, law, or field directly related to the position). Master's degree preferred.

Experience

Work requires four years of experience in policy/research/data analysis or related position. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4 years of relevant professional experience in public economics, infrastructure policy, development economics, public finance, environmental economics, regulatory analysis, or related fields.
• Experience in management consulting desirable, or other experience demonstrating flexible, responsive work style.
• Advanced degree preferred (PhD, MPP, MPA, MEM or related graduate degree with substantial quantitative and economic training).
• Experience working with government agencies, utilities, research institutes, or policy organizations.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating public investments, infrastructure strategies, policy reforms, or economic development initiatives.
• Familiarity with energy systems, water systems, environmental policy, climate adaptation, or natural resource management.
• Experience applying economic analysis to real-world policy and investment decisions.

Choose Duke.

At Duke University, you'll find more than a job—you'll find purpose. As a globally recognized leader in education, research, and innovation, Duke offers opportunities to work alongside world-class scholars, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to solving society's most complex challenges.

At the Nicholas Institute, your work will directly contribute to advancing sustainable solutions that improve communities, strengthen economies, and protect environmental resources for future generations. You'll be part of a collaborative culture that values intellectual curiosity, innovation, inclusion, and impact.

Whether you're analyzing infrastructure investments, informing environmental policy, or helping shape strategies for sustainable development, your work at Duke will help create meaningful change locally and globally.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and join Duke's mission to create a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future. Bring your expertise, your curiosity, and your commitment to impact. Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.