(Senior) Research/Data Analyst, Housing Center

Overview

The Housing Center at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is the nation’s leading market-oriented housing research center. It operates at the intersection of data-driven housing knowledge and policy solutions. Analysts will have access the nation’s foremost housing database, conduct cutting-edge research, and participate in creating an unprecedented set of metrics to improve the operation of housing markets, mortgage lending practices, and housing policy. Involving direct work with the center’s codirectors on the full range of the center’s initiatives, this role encompasses data science, business intelligence, and statistical programming. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The AEI Housing Center seeks a full-time, in-person (senior) research or data analyst to assist in creating, managing, and analyzing large datasets to derive insights and inform US housing policy. Responsibilities will include creating, cleaning, and analyzing new datasets; conducting statistical analyses; and helping draft research papers and other materials. The weight of these responsibilities may vary depending on whether the position is filled by a (senior) research analyst or (senior) data analyst. A (senior) research analyst will focus on researching and writing, and a (senior) data analyst will focus on analyzing data.

This position requires superior technical and quantitative skills, the capacity to develop additional skills, and high proficiency in writing, research, communication, and organization. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of housing policy. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask with minimal supervision are essential. A master’s degree in public policy, data analytics, or other quantitative methods field is preferred.

Final title and salary are commensurate with experience. Please outline in your cover letter which title you feel your qualifications most accurately represent.

AEI offers a stimulating and harmonious work environment and excellent benefits. Applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating their interest in housing policy and noting their quantitative and technical experience and skills, a resume, an unofficial academic transcript, and a writing sample with the online application. Candidates will be asked to pass a brief coding test.

Responsibilities

• Research or Data Analyst
  • Perform statistical analysis and modeling according to detailed specifications to support small studies and fulfill ad hoc requests.
  • Combine processes, techniques, and methodologies from various fields to perform predictive and statistical analysis on large and often disparate datasets.
  • Create data listings, tabulations, graphs, and figures for studies and reports.
  • Integrate data from various sources as required.
  • Assemble financial, workforce, technological, economic, statistical, and other operational datasets to inform comparative and predictive analyses of housing issues.
  • Examine data for trends and anomalies to draw actionable conclusions.
  • Forecast trends and derive key indicators.
• Senior Research or Data Analyst
  • Using statistical software, perform statistical analysis and modeling to support small to large studies and fulfill ad hoc requests.
  • Develop models, algorithms, and metrics to facilitate data interpretation. Work with various AEI employees to present and operationalize data to achieve accessible
  • insights.
  • Combine processes, techniques, and methodologies from various fields to perform predictive and statistical analysis and modeling on large and often disparate datasets.
  • Create data listings, tabulations, graphs, and figures for studies and reports.
  • Examine data for trends and anomalies to draw actionable conclusions.
  • Forecast trends and derive key indicators.
  • Integrate data from various sources as required.
  • Take action to solve problems and issues that routinely arise in areas of assigned responsibility.
  • Apply deep professional knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex problems.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for
• computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• Required
  • Research or Data Analyst: a master’s degree with zero years of full-time, applicable work experience or a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time, applicable work experience
  • Senior Research/Data Analyst: a master’s degree and at least one year of full-time, applicable work experience or a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of full-time, applicable work experience
  • A degree in economics, finance, real estate, public policy, computer science, or a related discipline
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Excel
  • Fluency in data analysis tools and languages including Stata, R, and Python
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • A demonstrated interest in housing and public policy research
  • A strong understanding of statistical methods and data science techniques
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Knowledge of data governance and compliance standards
  • The capacity to meticulously document all data processes, methodologies, and analyses
  • An ambitious outlook, comfort with working independently, and readiness to learn new skills as projects demand
  • The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
  • The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment
• Desired
  • Experience with Structured Query Language (including PostgreSQL, MySQL, DBT, and DuckDB) and data engineer workflows (including extract, transform, load and extract, load, transform)
  • Proficiency with geospatial analysis and visualization, particularly with web-mapping tools, such as Leaflet, Mapbox, Deck.gl, and ArcGIS or QGIS
  • Experience with web development using JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, or PHP
  • Knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau, Quarto, ggplot2, or Matplotlib
  • Familiarity with version-control software such as Git/GitHub, Docker, and Python

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and three personal days or floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 12 percent contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits here.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position’s scope and responsibilities; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $65,000–$85,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.