Research Analyst (Housing Finance Policy Center)

Who we are:  At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Our employees are empowered to open minds, shape decisions and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. Our employees drive Urban’s mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation. Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.

How you’ll contribute:  The Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center (HFPC) is looking for a Research Analyst who is responsible for assisting senior researchers in successfully executing defined quantitative research tasks. The Analyst will assist research and development teams to conceive of new research ideas and work collaboratively with center leadership and staff on a variety of housing finance research projects, both independent and larger-team based. These projects include the conceptualization of research design and methodologies, report writing, communicating compelling ideas and contributing to proposal development and funder outreach to support larger scale research initiatives. The topical focus of the research is housing and housing finance policy, covering issues such as racial inequity in homeownership rates and housing wealth, access to mortgage credit, housing affordability, the structure of the secondary mortgage market, and the government role in regulating and supporting the housing finance system. The center’s work is focused on the connection between the housing finance system, communities, as well as people and outcomes. This position requires strong quantitative and qualitative skills in addition to excellent organizational, project management, and writing skills.

Responsibilities:

• Collect, clean, and perform advanced manipulation of quantitative data. This includes managing and updating several large databases and using advanced programming techniques for data processing and analysis.
• Produce and review literature reviews
• Contribute to the monthly chartbook and other research products
• Assist and, on occasion, lead in reporting research findings including producing tables, graphics, and maps for reports, as well as writing up findings for briefs, reports, and blogs
• Assist with research proposals, internal and external research events, and research management
• Manage the center’s Academic Research Council, organizing meetings and communicating with leading researchers across the country
• Oversee the work of Research Assistants
• Other tasks as assigned.

What you’ll bring:

The successful candidate will:

• Possess a master’s degree in the field of Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, or Statistics or, a bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of demonstrated relevant research work experience.
• Have knowledge and interest in domestic policy issues related to housing and mortgage finance.
• Have strong quantitative analytical skills conducive to advanced research methodologies with demonstrable experience in at least quantitative research and statistical and geospatial data manipulation.
• Demonstrate experience with data analysis tools and software packages (SAS, Stata, R, Python, ArcGIS, or other tools and research processes) appropriate to the area of research skill.
• Have experience using large housing or mortgage related datasets, such as American Community Survey, HMDA or American Housing Survey.
• Be proficient in publication, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics software.
• Exhibit high level of organization, motivation, creativity, and self-confidence; we seek individuals who can work effectively, independently, and simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast paced work environment.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

What you’ll experience:  Working in the Nation’s Capital, the epicenter of public policy among a network of policy experts, you can expect to have an impact on policy areas you care about and work with great colleagues who are smart, mission-driven, and collaborative. You will blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, be encouraged and supported to fulfill your potential through meaningful work that matters, and enjoy a welcoming workplace free from harassment, discrimination and intolerance.