"The American Council on Education (ACE) is the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities. ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practices. With a diverse base of member institutions, ACE represents nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives....

"The Associate program is designed to provide individuals with an opportunity to gain real-world experience harnessing the power of research and data – and co-designing solutions for and with the postsecondary sector. By being a part of a leading national higher education association, you will have opportunities to inform campus executives and leaders of higher education associations and organizations about emerging higher education issues and influence public policy and institutional practice. This is a two-year term, full-time position.  

"Under the general supervision of a Senior Analyst & Program Officer, the incumbent executes various assignments, tasks, and projects related to research, policy analysis, and impact evaluations, working with project/task leads within the unit, as well as across the Council.

"Master’s degree in higher education, education policy, or related field. This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC. Team members work onsite at our One Dupont Circle NW office three days per week (Tuesday through Thursday), with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. BUDGETED SALARY: $63,000.00

"Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2026, or until we receive a maximum of 300 applications, whichever comes first. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible, as the posting may close ahead of the listed deadline based on volume."

See the complete posting on the ACE job board.

"The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to transforming health in our lifetime and to paving the way to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. To achieve that vision, RWJF supports health equity research that 'increases opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who we are, where we live, or how much money we make.' Achieving health equity requires identifying solutions to the historical and contemporary root causes of inequities.

"RWJF is launching this CFP as part of a new research funding program, Health Equity Research for Action (HERA). HERA will support community-rooted, action-oriented health equity research that reflects lived realities and responds to immediate and long-term needs. The research will help maintain access to evidence, support accountability, and inform efforts to build more equitable systems."

April 27, 2026: A pre-recorded applicant webinar will be made available. 

May 14, 2026 (3 p.m. ET): Deadline for receipt of letters of intent.

Read the complete call for proposals on the RWJF website.

"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. ... The Work, Education and Labor Division (WELD) undertakes policy-relevant research on issues from prekindergarten through postsecondary education as well as workforce systems, apprenticeships, job quality, and labor market trends.

"WELD is seeking a junior quantitative and/or qualitative researcher (Step 1/ Research track) to work on a range of education  and workforce projects, including apprenticeships, postsecondary student success, and career pathways in K12. We are looking for individuals with a background in public policy (especially education policy) and strong data management and analysis skills.

"Individuals with lived experience with the research and policy issues the WELD teams addresses are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are preferred; however, we also welcome remote applicants."

Read the full position description and apply.

HCM Strategists, LLC: "The Summer 2026 Higher Education Policy Fellowship is designed for current graduate students who are deeply interested in higher education policy and eager to apply strong research and analytical skills in a fast-paced consulting environment. ... This role is best suited for individuals who are comfortable working with data, synthesizing complex information, and producing high-quality written deliverables.

"Required: Current enrollment in or recent graduation from a graduate program (master’s or Ph.D.) in public policy, higher education, economics, political science, or a related field. Undergraduate students not eligible.

"HCM Strategists is a public policy consulting firm dedicated to improving postsecondary education and workforce outcomes. We partner with state leaders, institutions, and national organizations to design and implement policies that expand economic mobility and advance equity."

For the full job description and to apply click here.

New Era Workshop (NEW)

NEW 2026: September 24-26 at the University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs

2026 APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE HERE!
Applications close May 3, 2026 at 11:50pm MT. 

"The New Era Workshop (NEW) is an annual three-day training program for PhD students in international affairs and related disciplines.  Over the course of the workshop, participants collectively tackle a scenario-analysis exercise—an innovative approach to assessing the medium-term challenges and opportunities currently facing the world.  Facilitators then lead participants through a process to help generate and shape policy-relevant research ideas. In the past, participants have incorporated their ideas into dissertation projects, conference papers, published academic articles, and pieces in policy journals. Throughout the workshop, participants also learn from a series of foreign policy experts and “gap bridgers”—about responsible engagement, effective public communication, and pursuing careers across the academia/policy divide. 

"While the vast majority of our applicants are graduate students from
Political Science, Politics, and Government departments, we welcome applications from students and post-docs in Geography, History, Public Policy, Philosophy, Sociology, and STEM fields, whose research is related to foreign policy.

"There is no charge for the New Era Workshop. Travel arrangements to the workshop location up to $500, plus hotel accommodations and meals, will be covered throughout the program. Travel costs exceeding $500 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis."

"The ASA Policy Outreach Program (POP) Fellowship is designed to strengthen the bridge between sociological research and the policymaking world. It fosters meaningful connections between ASA, legislative offices, think tanks, and other policy leaders who shape public policy and public discourse. By bringing these communities closer together, the POP Fellowship helps sociologists better understand policy-facing opportunities—such as employment, funding, and policy residencies—while giving policymakers early access to research that can inform their priorities and decisions in real time.

"Each year, a cohort of POP Fellows is selected to receive specialized remote media training and build practical skills to effectively translate research findings for legislators, journalists, and the broader public. Participants learn to craft Rapid Response Reports (policy briefs), compelling elevator pitches, op-eds, and other high-impact communication tools centered on their research and other areas of expertise, which are shared with media outlets and program partners.

"The POP Fellowship is fully remote, does not require residency in Washington, DC, and does not involve travel. While the fellowship does not include a stipend, it offers valuable professional development, national visibility, and direct pathways to influence policy conversations with evidence-based sociological insights. An optional in-person experience is available through participation in the COSSA (Consortium of Social Science Associations) Advocacy Day.

"Applicants must have completed a PhD in sociology at the time of application and possess three or more years of post-doctoral experience. Both ASA members and nonmembers can apply to the Policy Outreach Program Fellowship. However, if accepted, fellows will be required to join ASA."

Applications for the 2026-2027 Cohort will open on April 15.  Deadline is 5 pm ET May 18. 

Read the full announcement on the ASA website

[Ed note. This is a different announcement from a previous notice posted 11/26/25]

"The First-year Research Immersion Program (FRI) at Binghamton University invites applications for a three-year renewable, full-time Research Assistant Professor (Research Educator), to begin August 2026 (preferred) or January 2027. Candidates must have completed a terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) before starting.

"This is a unique 10-month, non-tenure track faculty position designed for scholars who wish to integrate research, teaching, and undergraduate mentorship. Unlike traditional faculty models where research is conducted primarily by graduate students or postdoctoral researchers, FRI faculty lead team-based undergraduate research that contribute directly to the faculty member's and stream collaborators' research agendas while providing students with authentic research experiences early in their academic careers.

"The successful candidate will launch a new research stream, Artificial Intelligence & Society. The vision for this stream is to explore how artificial intelligence both shapes, and is shaped by, human systems. Research within the stream will examine the societal implications, applications, and/or responsible development of AI across social, cultural, economic, educational, and/or policy contexts.

"We welcome candidates from diverse academic backgrounds including (but not limited to) social sciences, behavioral sciences, public health, education, psychology, sociology, communication, business, geography, history, computer science, engineering, and related interdisciplinary fields. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to lead transdisciplinary research that incorporates artificial intelligence and technology alongside the arts, humanities, and one or more of the social sciences."

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.

Read the complete announcement  online.

"The NOMIS & Science Young Explorer Award recognizes and rewards early-career M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. scientists who perform research at the intersection of the social and life sciences. Essays written by these bold researchers on their recent work are judged for clarity, scientific quality, creativity, and demonstration of cross-disciplinary approaches to address fundamental questions.

"A cash prize of up to US $15,000 will be awarded to essay winners, and their engaging essays will be published in Science. Winners will also be invited to share their work and forward-looking perspective with leading scientists in their respective fields at an award ceremony."

Apply by ‌May‌ ‌15‌, ‌2026‌. Read complete details on the Science website

"The Behavioral Science for Policy Lab (BSPL), directed by Professor Elke Weber, is seeking outstanding researchers as a Postdoctoral Research Associates or more senior researchers starting in the Summer of 2026 or sooner. The researcher(s) will join a Princeton-funded project on the social, political, and policy dimensions of decarbonization and renewable energy expansion in the U.S. The researcher(s) will work with a group of interdisciplinary scholars across multiple institutions, led by Elke Weber and Chris Greig at Princeton University. The position(s) will be based at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, which is focused on resolving critical challenges to securing a sustainable energy and environmental future."

Inquiries about the position may be sent to sofia.silvosa@princeton.edu.

Deadline: April 16, 2026 11:59 ET; Finalists will be contacted for an interview. Start date: Spring/Summer 2026.

Read the complete announcement on the lab's website and also on Interfolio. 

"AIR’s Employment & Economic Opportunity Program is seeking a Quantitative Research Associate to support U.S. participation in international education data collections and assessments (e.g., Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, Programme for International Student Assessment). The role involves producing and validating education statistics, reviewing assessment and survey content, supporting survey operations and quality assurance, contributing to analysis and reporting, and coordinating with domestic and international partners. The position requires strong quantitative data sense, attention to detail, and the ability to work across multiple projects with differing timelines.

"This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones."

See the complete posting and apply