Research Associate (IVMF)

Job Description

The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) research team is seeking an experienced Research Associate with a strong foundation in interdisciplinary social science to lead and collaborate on high-impact social science and public policy projects focused on economic opportunity, employment, social mobility, and related challenges for military-connected individuals and families. The Institute’s research portfolio spans workforce development, economic advancement, social policy, skills training, and employment barriers, benefiting from an interdisciplinary approach that draws on diverse social science perspectives. This role emphasizes translating research insights into actionable strategies for practitioners, program developers, and policymakers shaping program development and policy to drive initiatives that expand economic opportunities and strengthen social outcomes for veterans, military spouses, and their families. In addition to active research projects, the Research Associate will work with IVMF leadership to advance a research agenda centered on employment, economic resilience, and workforce trends affecting the military community.

This position may be filled on a fully remote basis if the identified candidate is not currently located in Syracuse, NY (within 50 miles). Not all geographical areas within the United States are eligible. Employment offers at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of a master’s degree in the field of economics, social science, public policy, business or public administration, or related field.
• Preference to those with a Ph.D. (in progress or in hand) or related master’s degree and a combination of academic and professional experience equivalent to the attainment of a doctoral or professional terminal degree.
• Previous experience in statistical analysis, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in research with at least one (1) year of self-directed quantitative research, or interpreting research data for publication.
  
  

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong quantitative analysis skills and experience with statistical methodologies.
• Prior experience with managing and analyzing large datasets, including Census, BLS, and private data sources.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, SAS).
• Exhibits strong knowledge and interest in topics related to veterans, military service, military family dynamics, employment, and social impact.
• Preference given to those who have worked with veteran, military, and/or family stakeholders, universities or think-tanks, and programs and services for veterans and families.
• Superior project management, attention to detail/quality, critical thinking, written, and oral communication skills required.
• Ability to design, plan, and implement research activities using multi-method approaches.
• Grant writing experience and demonstrated potential for obtaining grant funding.
• Can work and thrive both independently and as part of a group/team.
• Personal discipline to successfully manage multiple projects, meet deadlines with competing demands, and responsibilities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrates strong data visualization skills; experience with Tableau, SAS Visual Analytics, or Power BI a plus.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Lead/collaborate and oversee team-based sponsored research and public policy projects related to economic opportunity and workforce issues, to include research design and methodology, project management, data collection and analysis, dissemination, and presentation of results.
• Lead/collaborate the production of high-quality publications, reports, and products supporting the needs of a wide range of audiences including policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.
• Engage and work collaboratively with external sponsors and high-profile stakeholders and provide timely response to external and internal requests for data and insights.
• Oversee and supervise graduate and undergraduate research assistants and affiliated researchers assigned to various projects, as required.
• Foster collaborative relationships with Syracuse University faculty and outside scholars working on related efforts.
• Work closely with IVMF leadership and colleagues as well as Syracuse University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Office of Research Integrity and Protections to ensure timely project completion and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policy.
• Develop prescriptive guidance and communicate recommendations to IVMF program management, IVMF partners, and national stakeholders via multiple formats (e.g., peer reviewed publications, reports, briefs, op-eds, blogs, etc.).
• Gather, prepare, and visualize relevant data from publicly available or internal sources that support IVMF research agenda; work closely with IVMF data management team to produce timely and relevant data visualizations and digital tools that support the needs of sponsors and key stakeholders.
• Contribute to IVMF and national convening’s and conferences to engage with and gain insight from prominent thought leaders and researchers in the veteran and military community.
• Represent the IVMF at key engagements and develop relationships with relevant thought leaders, as required.
• Develop new project ideas and a forward-looking research agenda on the impacts of military family lifestyle on post military life.
• Cultivate new opportunities through independent (non-sponsored) project development, grant seeking, proposal writing, and engaged collaboration within the national and international veterans’ research and policy community.
• Contribute to proposal writing and preparation for new grants and opportunities that advance the IVMF research agenda.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About The Syracuse Area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.