Research Scientist

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Closing Date:

09/26/2026

Type of Position:

Researchers and ScientistsNo

Job Type:

Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

Department of Education Reform

Summary of Job Duties:

The Research Scientist IV will play a key role in advancing rigorous, policy-relevant research in education economics and education policy. This position offers the opportunity to work on projects that examine the value of human capital investments, evaluate education policies and programs, and produce evidence that can inform decision-making in education systems.

The Research Scientist IV will help lead and contribute to empirical research projects using large-scale longitudinal, administrative, and other complex datasets. The position will be responsible for preparing, documenting, organizing, and maintaining research-ready datasets, with an emphasis on data quality, transparency, usability, and reproducibility.

A central part of the role will involve making complex data more accessible and actionable. The Research Scientist IV will help develop data visualizations, dashboards, and online tools that support research, analysis, and communication with academic, policy, and practitioner audiences. The position will also contribute to reproducibility packages and other resources that strengthen the transparency and long-term usefulness of research products.

The successful candidate will conduct and oversee econometric, statistical, and causal analyses; test hypotheses; and contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, academic papers, and other research outputs. As needed, the Research Scientist IV may also design and implement data collection systems and compile, clean, and manage complex datasets.

This position is well suited for candidates who are excited about using data, research, and visualization tools to address important questions in education policy and to communicate findings in clear, useful, and impactful ways.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited institution

• At least three years of experience conducting applied research in education economics, labor economics, education policy, or a related policy area

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Education Policy, or a related field Policy, or a related field

• Experience in applied econometrics, causal inference, and quantitative methods

• Experience using statistical software and programming tools such as Stata, R, Python, and advanced Excel

• Experience preparing, documenting, managing, and analyzing large datasets, including U.S. and international education and labor datasets

• Experience developing data visualizations, dashboards, or other tools that make complex data accessible to research, policy, or practitioner audiences

• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a multidisciplinary research environment

• Strong research writing and communication skills, including publishing policy briefs, technical reports, and academic papers

Additional Information:

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025.  Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.

$67,500 - $70,000Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeProof of Veteran StatusDr. Harry Patrinos
Department Head of Education Reform and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Education Policy
patrinos@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes