Staff Positions:
The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is hiring! 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.
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!
Research Specialist I or II - Apply by October 11, 2023
The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) is seeking a Research Specialist I or II to assist with current and future funded projects. The Research Specialist position is open to applicants who have 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.
The ideal candidate will have a Master’s Degree and/or equivalent experience/education; quantitative experience in the social sciences is preferred. Experience cleaning, organizing, and managing data is preferred. Program evaluation experience is preferred. 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; 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.
Applicants will be required to submit a resume, cover letter, list of references, and writing sample as four (4) separate documents in MS Word or PDF format. Review of applications will begin October 11, 2023.
The University of Nebraska is an EO/AA employer. See www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.