About Urban Institute:

The Urban Institute is a research-to-impact institution founded on one simple idea: To improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. From advancing well-being to fostering shared prosperity, leaders across sectors are working every day to create brighter futures for all people and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered evidence and solutions that drive meaningful change, and this remains our charge today.

Our Mission

To drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions.

Our Values

Collaboration, Fairness Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Tax Policy Center, housed within the Tax & Income Supports Division (TIS) seeks an expert researcher who will contribute to and expand Urban’s research and policy analysis on individual and corporate, tax modeling, and tax administration. Reporting to the Vice President for Tax Policy, the researcher will work with a talented group of colleagues spanning a variety of projects and disciplines across the Urban Institute.

What You’ll Do

The successful candidate will work on projects analyzing the revenue and distributional consequences of tax policies, primarily at the federal level. They will also support the development of tax and transfer microsimulation models within TPC and TIS and supervise analyses using these models. This work will include:

• Conceptualizing and developing new research projects and initiatives that are creative, address public policy needs and meet high standards of methodological rigor

• Directing new or ongoing projects and initiatives, including being responsible for research quality, finances, timeline, staffing and managing staff, and meeting funder goals

• Leading efforts to fundraise for new research and initiatives as well as support efforts of other staff

• Establishing or continuing relationships with relevant external stakeholders, including local, state, and federal policymakers, business leaders, media, academia, nonprofits, and advocates

• Leading and collaborating on reporting research findings, including written products, creative data presentation, briefings, and presentations at meetings and conferences

• Communicating effectively with multiple research teams, senior and early career staff members from diverse backgrounds, and external stakeholders

• Supervising and mentoring other research staff, to help nurture talent and grow productive, motivated, and fulfilled colleagues

What You’ll Bring

• The knowledge and skills associated with a PhD in economics or a related field. Senior executive or legislative branch government experience also highly encouraged

• 10 plus years of prior experience in related research areas

• Significant experience in conceptualizing and executing policy-relevant research on tax policy and administration

• Deep methodological rigor, preferably including knowledge of microsimulation and advanced statistical methods

• Ability to interpret rigorous academic studies and put them in a policy context

• Substantial experience managing large scale, philanthropically funded research projects

• A proven track record of developing, funding, and implementing relevant research projects or initiatives

• Active engagement in real-time economic policy debates

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to working in a manner defined by our mission and values.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The minimum salary for this position is $192,571. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal comparisons. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.