Senior Research Associate

George Washington University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Washington, PENNSYLVANIA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
I. DEPARTMENT INFORMATION


Job Description Summary:
The GW Regulatory Studies Center’s mission is to improve regulatory policy through research, education, and outreach. In collaboration with a network of scholars, we provide objective, high-quality yet accessible academic research and programs on regulatory policy, analysis, and process.
The Center is a leading source for applied scholarship in regulatory issues, and a training ground for anyone who wants to understand the effects of regulation and ensure that regulatory policies are designed in the public interest.
Established in 2009, the GW RSC is an academic center of the George Washington University, a private, top-tier university located in the Nation’s capital. It is housed within the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, which is consistently ranked among the nation’s top policy schools, and attracts high-achieving students interested in careers in public policy. In addition, with our location near the White House and Capitol Hill, the GW RSC is a hub for academic institutions around the country, and brings fresh ideas and analysis to policymakers in Washington.
The Senior Research Associate will conduct policy analysis and research using quantitative and qualitative methods from economics, policy, and law. Using a wide degree of creativity and latitude, this experienced researcher will make detailed observations, analyze data, and interpret results, with limited guidance from the Principal Investigator, to whom they will report. The role responsibilities include undertaking a variety of short- and long-term research projects related to regulatory issues. The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for managing project tasks, coordinating with faculty and grant officers as well as guiding junior staff and graduate students. They will author and co-author policy commentaries, white papers, academic articles, and public interest comments submitted to federal regulatory agencies. This is an ideal opportunity for a self-starter interested in pursuing a career in regulatory analysis, scholarship, or law.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Independently conducts research, analysis, and writing for projects supported by designated grant funds and unrestricted funding. Responsible for developing research plans, conducting literature reviews, engaging in qualitative and quantitative analysis, identifying case studies, and using federal agency documents and the existing literature to analyze the effects of regulation. Interfaces directly with faculty and other scholars and stakeholders; develops written reports on the results of this analysis and presents results in various forums.
  • Analyzes individual regulations, regulatory processes, and regulatory reforms through an economic, policy, and legal lens with a focus on the public interest and effects of regulations on consumers. Performs data collection, data analysis, and literature reviews to identify useful tools for measuring regulatory impacts in various industry sectors. Conducts statistical analyses on patterns or trends in regulation using appropriate statistical programming languages such as R or Python. Produces reports summarizing research and analyses in an effective and objective manner.
  • Examines federal agency docket materials to assess the potential costs and benefits of regulations, and clearly analyzes the tradeoffs, unintended consequences, distributional impact, and economic effect of proposed and final regulations.
  • Authors and co-authors written research products, including policy commentaries, journal articles, and public comments.
  • Contributes to RegStats and other databases and webpages and develops new tools/dashboards for accessing and visualizing rulemaking data using programming languages such as Python and R. Tracks regulatory agency activity using federal websites and creates databases, tables, charts, graphs, and infographics to accurately represent regulatory trends and Congressional actions related to regulatory reform. Clearly communicates these findings to a broad audience of academics, Hill staffers, federal government policy makers, and think tanks.
  • Attends relevant functions and grows an independent network of policy scholars and researchers. Promotes the Regulatory Studies Center brand and research at off-site events.


Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Master’s degree in a related discipline and 3 years of direct experience in the field. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Applied experience using statistical and programming languages such as Python and R.
  • Experience with any of the following skills: literature reviews, academic writing, statistics/econometrics, or program evaluation
  • Demonstrated interest in economics, regulatory policy, or administrative law.
  • Experience (including internships) working in state or local government, industry associations, capitol hill, or contract research
  • A master’s degree in public policy, economics, law, political science, or a related field. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in policy analysis and research methods, including data analytics, economics, statistics, & legal analysis.
  • Exceptional writing skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Self-starter who is able to work independently on assigned tasks.
Hiring Range $50,741.17 - $80,927.47
GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?


Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.



II. POSITION INFORMATION


Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS)
Family Research and Labs
Sub-Family Field Research
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework: Yes
Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please submit a writing sample in the attachments.
This is a limited-term role.
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status.
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: R002376
Job Open Date: 02/19/2026
Job Close Date:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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