Careers

Research Analyst

Role Type: Full-time

Locations: Grand Rapids, MI; Hillsborough, NC; Nashville, TN

Travel: Approximately once a quarter

Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000

Application Due Date: Rolling application reviews begin October 26, 2026.

Start Date: Immediate

About Basis Policy Research

Basis is an independent research and evaluation firm dedicated to one idea—rigorous evidence, delivered at the right moment, can transform the decisions that matter most.

We partner with government agencies, foundations, nonprofits, and private organizations across the country to provide objective, actionable research and evaluation in education, workforce development, and child and family welfare. We help our partners understand what’s working, what isn’t, and what it will take to do better.

To learn more about Basis and our work, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

About the Research Analyst Role

Research Analysts support our projects through all stages of the applied research process. Most of their time is spent on the collection, management, and analysis of quantitative data. Analysts also support report development through creating visualizations of quantitative findings. Analysts wear many hats, developing skills beyond their primary research functions in areas such as stakeholder communication, project management, and AI integration.

Analysts work closely with their project teams and have opportunities to engage directly with clients and external research partners. Analysts also develop content-area expertise in the policy areas they study and, as that knowledge grows, are given greater independence in shaping analytic approaches, communicating findings, and leading project tasks. The role offers rich, hands-on experience and substantial opportunity for professional growth, including support for presenting project findings at professional conferences and attending seminars.

We are seeking to hire two research analysts. Analysts must be physically present for work at one of our office locations: Grand Rapids; MI, Hillsborough, NC; and Nashville, TN. Primary business functions take place in-office during regular business hours. Analysts may be eligible for hybrid work after completion of onboarding and training. Projects and business operations may require local, statewide, and national travel of approximately once per quarter.

The salary range for this position is $50,000 – $70,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include an employer-matching 401(k), annual discretionary bonus, 33 days of combined holiday and paid sick/vacation leave annually, FMLA-aligned family and medical leave, and personal accounting services.

Primary Job Functions

• Develop and maintain quantitative data pipelines. Develop and maintain project-specific data pipelines using Stata and/or other statistical software. Many of our projects involve complex student-, teacher-, school-, and program-level administrative data drawn from multiple sources and spanning multiple years. Analysts clean, organize, merge, and validate these data; create analysis-ready variables and datasets; document data-processing decisions; and conduct quality assurance checks to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. This work requires attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify and resolve inconsistencies in large and complex datasets.
• Conduct quantitative analyses. Conduct descriptive and statistical analyses using Stata and other analytical tools. Analysts work alongside project leads on increasingly sophisticated analyses, which may include regression, propensity score methods, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity designs, and other quasi-experimental and experimental methods.
• Design data visualizations. Create compelling data visualizations for reports, presentations, dashboards, and other products using Stata, Power BI, Microsoft 365 suite, Adobe Acrobat, ArcGIS, and other tools. Effective visualizations help translate complex findings into clear, actionable information for practitioners, policymakers, and other decision-makers.
• Support the implementation of applied research. Support the day-to-day execution of research projects, including building and administering surveys using Sogolytics; scheduling and conducting interviews and focus groups; coordinating data collection; and participating in internal and client meetings.
• Contribute to research design. Collaborate with project teams to develop research questions, identify data sources, select appropriate methods, and design analyses and deliverables.
• Take on other tasks and projects as needed or desired. We have a nimble and dynamic organizational structure, providing the opportunity for continued professional growth aligned with your interests. Moreover, we value team players who support evolving project needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, economics, statistics, data science, education, or a related field.
• Coursework or training in statistics and research methods (t-tests, ANOVA, linear regression, and experimental and quasi-experimental methods).
• Experience through coursework, internships, or employment using statistical software or programming languages such as Stata, SAS, SPSS, R, or Python for data management or analysis.

Demonstrated Skills and Abilities

• Interest in improving education, workforce development, and/or child and family welfare systems using rigorous evidence.
• Ability to think critically, solve problems, and generate innovative solutions to challenges of varying complexity, from highly detailed technical work to serving as a strategic thought partner in conceptually grounded work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong self-management skills, including the ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritize across multiple projects, and deliver high-quality work.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients across in-person and virtual environments.
• Commitment to contributing to a service-oriented and socially responsible organizational culture.

Growth Opportunities

This is an entry-level position, and we expect your skills and responsibilities to develop substantially over time. Through project work, mentorship, and hands-on experience, you will learn to conduct rigorous applied research, develop quantitative skills, and communicate evidence to both technical and non-technical audiences. At Basis, the most direct growth path is to a Senior Research Analyst position.

Application and Hiring Process

To apply, please submit the following materials to careers@basispolicyresearch.com.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Resume

We will review applications every two weeks beginning October 26, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled. Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by email within two weeks of their review date.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Basis Policy Research is an inclusive organization that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.