Description

Position Overview

The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) is a designated research center for the social sciences, supporting social science researchers at the University of Kansas. IPSR supports faculty-led research centers, their directors, and a network of more than 100 affiliates, and staff.

This Research Aide position will work closely with the PI and project staff to conduct economic research on individuals who provide and need care within the United States. KPC has a portfolio of projects around the newly developed Care Board dashboard. The research aide is part of the research team and will work on projects developing more indicators and statistics for the Care Board.

The position housed within the Kansas Population Center in the Institute for Policy & Social Research. The position reports to the IPSR Associate Research Scientist. The Kansas Population Center (KPC) is a designated research center for the population studies, supporting social science researchers and demographers at the University of Kansas and neighboring states in the Midwest. KPC supports multiple research centers, their directors, and a network of more than 100 affiliates, and staff. Its mission is to be the leading midwestern demographic research center covering births, deaths, and everything in the middle.

Job Description

In addition to developing their own research ideas, this candidate will:

30% - Work closely with the PI and other staff using a variety of methodologies to conduct economic research on individuals who provide and need care within the United States.

30% - Work projects requiring the integration of traditional economic data with methodologies that capture the reality of care work to develop more indicators and statistics for the Care Board.

30% - Conduct literature reviews that provide comprehensive summaries and critical analyses of existing research on a specific topic. These reviews will be related to the care economy.

10% - Write blogs for the Care Board.

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma OR GED and related experience or classroom study.
2. Demonstrated experience using large household survey data to conduct research, economic analysis, and generate descriptive statistics.
3. Previous completion of nine credits in upper-level economics courses in data science, econometrics, labor economics, or related area as evidenced by application materials.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A completed online application consists of:

1. A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and an assessment of your skills related to the required and preferred qualifications.
2. A resume.
3. A list of three professional references, including name, position, company/organization, and phone or email contact information.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application review begins Saturday, 6/13/2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.