Research Aide

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 is housed within the Kansas Population Center in the Institute for Policy & Social Research. It reports to the IPSR Associate Research Scientist. The Kansas Population Center (KPC) is a designated research center for 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 between.

• 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 on 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, related to the care economy.
• 10% Write blogs for the Care Board.

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

• Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, or related area.
• Demonstrated interest in the care economy, public policies relating to public assistance programs and overall wellbeing as evidenced by application materials and previous experience.
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a future job in the economic research space as evidenced by application materials.

A completed online application consists of:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and an assessment of your skills related to the required and preferred qualifications.
• A resume.
• 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.

• Department: Inst for Policy & Social Res
• Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
• Assignment: On‑Site
• Reg/Temp: Regular
• Employee Class: U‑Unclassified Professional Staff