Predoctoral Scholar in Poverty and Social Policy

The Center on Poverty and Social Policy at the Columbia University School of Social Work focuses on poverty and social policy issues in the United States. The center is conducting analyses of policy proposals aimed at reducing poverty and economic insecurity.

This position will assist with data analysis as well as provide contributions to Center articles and reports. The position involves conducting microsimulation analyses of potential policy reforms using major household datasets such as the Current Population Survey, the American Community Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The position also involves assistance with data cleaning and analysis of data from the Poverty Tracker, a longitudinal panel study of adults in New York City.

This is position is grant-funded.

(1) Data analyses simulating the costs and effects of policy reform proposals (40%) The incumbent will conduct microsimulation analyses of policy proposals aimed at reducing poverty and economic insecurity using the NYC Poverty Tracker data as well as national household survey data. The incumbent will also assist in analyses of the benefits and costs of antipoverty policies and programs.

(2) Data analyses using longitudinal panel data from the Poverty Tracker (40%) The incumbent will conduct data cleaning, data analysis, and provide data/information for reports and articles using the New York City Poverty Tracker datasets.

(3) Contribution to report and article preparation (10%) The incumbent will work collaboratively with other team members to document results of analyses, prepare manuscripts for public release and/or for academic journals. The incumbent will also assist in editing and revising reports and articles based on internal and external feedback.

(4) Other duties, as assigned (10%) The incumbent will assist with: (1) other research tasks such as investigating histories of policy and rules to inform analyses and creating tables shells for reports and papers: and (2) other administrative tasks necessary such as scheduling meetings and reserving space for meetings and events.

The incumbent will not supervise other personnel.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in economics, sociology, political science or related discipline and an intermediate level micro-economics course.
• Four years of experience conducting research in social science or related fields.
• Familiarity with anti-poverty research and programs.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills
• Strong mathematical skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience with Stata or other statistical programming software

Application Instructions

Candidates must visit the Careers at Columbia site to submit an application.

Columbia University offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental plans, tax savings accounts, retirement savings plans, tuition benefits, life insurance and disability coverage -to name just a few.