Senior Policy Analyst, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator

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At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

The Senior Policy Analyst is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for performing research, policy analysis, and scholarly writing. The position is akin to a staff position at a think tank and reports to the Executive Director of VPA. 

The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) focuses on a small number of cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation. We bring research, education, and policy proposals in these areas from infancy to maturity and periphery to centrality. We cultivate, grow, and spread research, education, and policy ideas—and at a pace that aligns with the urgency of today's challenges. We are currently in the midst of a political economy revolution. From antitrust to trade, swift changes are taking place that are reshaping how policymakers and the general public think about economic policy. These changes create an opportunity to advance new paradigms, research, and policy ideas. We are action focused. Each project we undertake seeks to accelerate developments in education, research, policy, and public debate.

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter explaining your background and interest, CV, and list of references.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the execution of VPA research and policy analysis
• Perform research and policy analysis independently and in some cases under the direction of the faculty director.
• Involved in designing certain aspects of research projects and independently conducts work complementary to the overall research objectives.
• Provide, under direct supervision, support for a research project involving intervention, and data collection; assist in investigating, gathering, assessing, and clarifying data; record and distribute information.
• Process incoming source data; restructure data files; evaluate data quality and perform data-cleaning operations as needed.
• Provide guidance for protocols around data storage and documentation, data security, and systems for maintaining human subjects research records and documentation.
• Work with other team members to ensure a quick turnaround on some tasks as required.
• Compile data for research reports, assist with summary and analysis tasks.
• Designs and/or develops data tracking mechanisms or database platforms.
• Write white papers and op-eds.
• Engage in policy advocacy, independently and in collaboration with the Director and other Institute affiliates.
 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; the position reports to the Executive Director of VPA.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree or 5 years of work experience is required. A graduate degree in law, public policy, or a related field is preferred. 
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in government, public policy, a think tank, or academia is required.
• Candidates should have an interest in economic policy, political economy, regulation, and/or law.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative is required.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is required. 
• Relocation to Nashville is required.
• Five years of experience in government, public policy, a think tank, or academia is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.