Careers

Staff Positions:

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, a Research Specialist, Research Coordinator, and an Administrative Support Associate. Join a diverse interdisciplinary research team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners. More details below.

Student Assistants:

Many of the PPC's projects include graduate research assistantships or undergraduate research opportunities. Graduate students and undergraduates assist with research and other project activities. Graduate students often work with the faculty and project directors to present and publish the research. Past students have gone on to serve as the executive director of the Nebraska State Bar Association, a renewable energy and commercial real estate attorney, and the director of private sector programs at a private operating foundation. We are always looking for talented and motivated students to work with our collaborative team of researchers, so contact the office if you would like to work with us.

Currently Hiring a Training and Outreach Specialist - Apply by March 10, 2023

Training and Outreach Specialist
 

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking a Training and Outreach Specialist to assist with current and future funded projects. The Specialist will join a diverse research interdisciplinary team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners.

The Training and Outreach Specialist position is open to applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree plus one (1) year of experience with detailed planning in a professional setting. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a DMV background check authorizing them to operate university vehicles.

The ideal candidate will have two (2) or more years of experience with detailed planning in a professional setting; experience and/or training with adult learning principles, training methods and techniques; experience developing training materials; and experience developing training or courses for in-person, virtual, and/or asynchronous online delivery. For this position, experience in coordinating training and outreach is extremely beneficial.

To be considered for the position, visit https://employment.unl.edu/postings/84561. Applicants will be required to submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references as three (3) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format. The review of applications will begin on March 10, 2023. The successful candidate will undergo a criminal history background check and DMV background check.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

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Currently Hiring an Administrative Support Associate - Apply by March 20, 2023

Administrative Support Associate

 

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking an Administrative Support Associate to assist with current and future funded projects. The Associate will join a diverse research interdisciplinary team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners.

The Administrative Support Associate position is open to applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent experience plus two years of relevant office administrative support experience. Strong computer skills (word processing, Microsoft Office, databases, spreadsheets, e-mail, Internet) are required along with excellent creative problem solving skills, excellent organizational skills, the ability [and attitude] to provide excellent customer service, excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact in a professional manner with a diverse group of individuals (from the University as well as those outside the University – e.g., government officials) are required. The ability to work well with all levels of internal management and staff as well as external parties to organize the various components needed to run and conclude major projects is required. The ability to coordinate workflow and relieve management of administrative detail as well as the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects and to work independently as well as in teams is also required.

The employee will be responsible for execution of routine and episodic PPC operational administrative functions (e.g., supply ordering, completing travel arrangements, expense vouchers, filing, answering and directing callers, welcoming visitors, managing conference room requests, etc.); be an active member of the Center support staff team in assisting with daily flow of office operations and organization; will support a variety of PPC projects (e.g., mailings, creating databases, etc.); providing back-up executive assistance to Center Directors; and will help with other tasks as assigned (photocopying, scanning, journal requesting, etc.). Individual must have the ability to interact with staff and stakeholders (at all levels) with a high level of professionalism.

The ideal candidate will have an Associate’s degree or equivalent education and experience. SAP experience is preferred. The ability to assemble and analyze complex information, deal with last-minute deadlines is preferable. A candidate who is timely, reliable, and has great attention to detail is preferred.

To be considered for the position, visit https://employment.unl.edu/postings/84776. The review of applications will begin on March 20, 2023. The successful candidate will undergo a criminal history background check.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.


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Currently Hiring a Research Specialist - Apply by March 21, 2023

Research Specialist

 

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking a Research Specialist I, II, or Senior RS to assist with current and future funded projects. The Specialist will join a diverse research interdisciplinary team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners.

The Research Specialist position is open to applicants who have at least a bachelor’s degree plus one (1) year of experience researching and presenting policy reports. Knowledge of and experience with community and statewide public policy issues. Outstanding verbal, interpersonal, planning, and writing skills required; the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with national, state, and local policymakers and stakeholders; the ability to multitask and perform assigned tasked quickly and accurately. All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a DMV background check authorizing them to operate university vehicles.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s Degree and/or equivalent experience/education; experience working with policymakers and other stakeholders, problem-solving and decision making, working independently with minimal supervision, keeping supervisor and internal team members informed, and providing excellent customer relations; the ability to translate academic research to accessible quality policy reports; the ability to quickly master a range of content areas; excellent written communication and analytic skills; the ability to coordinate a wide variety of projects; the ability and flexibility to perform other tasks as assigned. Knowledge of behavioral health, public participation processes, and/or social sciences applied research is also preferred.

To be considered for the position and view qualifications for the other levels, visit https://employment.unl.edu/postings/84774. Applicants will be required to resume, cover letter, list of references, and writing sample as four (4) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format. The review of applications will begin on March 21, 2023. The successful candidate will undergo a criminal history background check and DMV background check.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

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Research Coordinator - Apply by March 27, 2023

Research Coordinator

 

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking a Research Coordinator to assist with current and future funded projects. The Coordinator will join a diverse research interdisciplinary team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners.

The Research Coordinator position is open to applicants who have a bachelor’s degree; proficiency with word processing, spread sheets, databases, email, and online research; the ability and attitude to provide excellent customer service; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact in a professional manner with a diverse group of individuals (from the University as well as those outside the University e.g., government officials); the ability to work well with all levels of internal management and staff as well as external parties to organize the various components needed to run and conclude major projects; the ability to coordinate workflow and relieve management of administrative detail; the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects required; the ability to assemble and analyze fairly complex information; the ability to deal with last-minute deadlines; excellent creative problem solving skills; and excellent organizational skills. Applicant must be flexible, proactive, confident, resourceful, efficient, assertive, and have attention to detail. All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a DMV background check authorizing them to operate university vehicles.

The ideal candidate will have some experience working with policy makers and other stakeholders, problem solving and decision making, working independently with minimal supervision, keeping supervisor and internal team members informed, and providing excellent customer relations. Experience using Adobe Acrobat, and website maintenance is preferred.

To be considered for the position, view https://employment.unl.edu/postings/84875. Applicants will be required to submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references as three (3) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format. Please attach a writing sample as an “Other Document” in the Required Documents section. Review of applications will begin March 27, 2023. Criminal history background check will be conducted.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Apply by April 18, 2023

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Targeted Violence Research

 

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow based in Lincoln to perform targeted violence research (e.g., threat assessment, workplace violence, stalking, extremist violence). The fellowship is a non-tenure leading, two-year appointment. The goal of the fellowship will be to develop advanced research and consultation skills to address various areas of targeted violence. In addition to joining ongoing research activities examining various aspects of the prevention, detection, and management of targeted violence, the fellow will assist with the development of new research efforts. The Fellow will also participate in relevant consultation and training opportunities.

The postdoctoral fellow will join a diverse research interdisciplinary team within the PPC that engages in a variety of research and consultation activities involving private and public sector partners. The postdoctoral fellow will be mentored by PPC researchers on consultation, grant writing, publishing, and other research-related activities.

The postdoctoral fellowship is open to applicants who have an interest in targeted violence research. Applicants who will have successfully completed a doctoral program in psychology, criminal justice, or a related field by May 2023 are encouraged to apply. Applicants must complete all doctoral requirements before the commencement of the fellowship.

Preference will be given to applicants with prior research experience and experience with applied research design, methodology, and statistical analysis.

Review of applications will begin April 18, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. To view details of the position and to apply, visit https://employment.unl.edu/postings/85049. Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the information form. Attach a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references, and a Statement of Research Interest.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

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Policy Scholars Undergraduate Program

Each semester, the PPC welcomes undergraduate students who have a desire to increase their knowledge, skills, and awareness in policy and research. One of our goals as a Center is to spark students’ interest in policy-based work by creating a learning experience and providing a variety of professional and career opportunities in policy and research, in order to help students become more engaged and confident about their place in policy and research. Each student is paired with a mentor who will provide a space for them to learn and grow by attending weekly mentoring sessions, group sessions, and project meetings related to their areas of interest. We look forward to our next class of Policy Scholars!

Learn More About the Policy Scholars