The Education and Social Policy Project (ESPP) at Syracuse University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate. The Postdoctoral Associate will work with Professors Amy Ellen Schwartz and Michah W. Rothbart on empirical research in education policy and economics, employing quasi-experimental methods and cutting-edge econometrics. Key projects use large administrative data sets for NYC public school students to: (1) investigate the measurement, determinants, and impacts of absenteeism for student academic performance, attending to differences across child sociodemographic and economic characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, sex, grade, neighborhood of residence, and eligibility for free or reduced price lunch; (2) continue ongoing research on the relationships between school choice and pupil transportation, including consequences for attendance and academic success; and (3) explore how COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s health and education in NYC over time, including changes in racial/ethnic and income disparities, the effects of vaccine availability and uptake, and the role of school and neighborhood resources in shaping outcomes and disparities.
Preference will be given to candidates with strong econometric and writing skills, experience using large administrative data sets, and an interest in grant writing.
The Postdoctoral Associate will work with others on all stages of research, including statistical analyses, co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications, presentation of research at conferences, and the development of new projects.
Requirements
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Education Policy or a related discipline at the start date. Preference will be given to applicants with strong quantitative skills, experience analyzing large datasets, and demonstrated capacity for academic publication. The applicant must be in residence for the two-year period.
Job Specific Qualifications:
- PhD in Economics, Education Policy, Public Policy, or related discipline.
- Quantitative research skills: this position requires strong background in statistical/econometric methods used in public affairs research, experience analyzing large datasets, and proficiency in statistical software such as Stata.
- Strong writing skills.
- Organization and communication skills, and a willingness to work as part of a team of researchers.
Under the direction of the faculty mentors, collaborate on absenteeism and COVID-19 project research, construct project datasets, and conduct quantitative analyses of secondary data. With the supervision of a faculty mentors, work on publishing research stemming from the dissertation and developing new lines of inquiry. Develop presentations, research communications, etc., and present research at conferences, meetings with policymakers, key constituents. Supervise/collaborate with doctoral students and research staff, provide technical assistance.
Application Instructions
Primary consideration will be given to applications received by April 8, 2022, but all applications will be considered until the position is filled. Required materials include:
- Cover letter.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Two-page research statement.
- Two representative papers. Peer-reviewed publications are preferred. Dissertation chapters are also acceptable, as long as they are under 20 pages.
- Three letters of reference submitted to the SU online application site by the writers.
For more information, and to apply, go to: https://www.sujobopps.com/. For questions, contact Amy Ellen Schwartz, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Professor of Public Affairs and Chair, Economics Department; amyschwartz@syr.edu or Michah W. Rothbart, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs; mwrothba@syr.edu.