Postdoctoral Associate, Charter Schools

Position Overview

MIT Blueprint Labs is recruiting a Postdoctoral Associate, Charter Schools to help lead the Charter School Research Collaborative. The position is based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. Blueprint uses data and economics to uncover the consequences of policy choices and improve society. Based in the Department of Economics at MIT, Blueprint Labs consists of academic affiliates who represent leading economic thinkers, full-time staff members, and graduate researchers. Blueprint Labs works closely with leading academic, government, and nonprofit institutions across the country to generate pioneering research that informs policy and practice in education, health care, and the workforce.

Blueprint’s Education Team studies education systems and policies. Our work helps policymakers design more equitable education systems and improve outcomes for children and families. The Postdoctoral Associate will work closely with Blueprint Labs Directors Parag Pathak and Josh Angrist, and our collaborators at other universities. Previous Blueprint Postdoctoral Associates have gone on to tenure-track positions in academia.

The Postdoctoral Associate will receive a full-time, one-year appointment that is renewable annually. An employment term of at least two years is strongly preferred. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check. This position is hybrid, working at least three days per week in the office and up to two days from home, subject to change. Occasional evening/night/weekend work may be required.

This job is eligible for visa sponsorship through MIT.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Associate (Postdoc) will work with Blueprint Directors Josh Angrist and Parag Pathak and Blueprint’s organizational partners to lead the Charter School Research Collaborative. The Collaborative is designed to conduct, fund, and offer technical support to groundbreaking research on charter schools in the U.S. Most of the Postdoc’s time will be spent conducting sponsored research in partnership with charter schools and school districts.

Other duties include:

• Conducting research with organizational partners (e.g., charter schools);
• Collaborating with Blueprint research teams and supervising junior research staff involved in the projects the Postdoc is assigned to;
• Participating in the organization of events, including the Collaborative’s annual convening, matchmaking events, and regular updates to funders and partners;
• Reviewing research applications for projects funded by the Collaborative in the twice-yearly RFP process
• Providing technical assistance and resources to researchers funded by the Collaborative;
• Organizing and warehousing research data, in close collaboration with the Research Manager;
• Developing an independent research agenda in education;
• Submitting personal research for publication in academic journals and publications;
• Contributing to proposal development and fundraising activities.

The position offers the opportunity to join a research team with a strong publication track record and is likely to lead to several co-authored papers. The experience can help launch the candidate into a successful academic career.

Other duties as needed or required.

How to Apply

Submit your application via MIT’s hiring site. If this link doesn’t work, please visit hr.mit.edu, Click “Search Open Positions,” and search for Job Number 26023.

AND

Submit the following materials through the American Economic Association (AEA) Job Openings for Economists (JOE). If this link doesn’t work, please visit aeaweb.org/joe/listings and search for job number 111477719.

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Up to three writing samples (paper or chapter-length; including Job Market Paper if relevant)
• Unofficial transcripts from both undergrad and graduate institutions
• Three letters of recommendation

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We review applications on a rolling basis. To be considered on our main timeline, apply by October 31, 2026. Blueprint plans to schedule virtual interviews in late 2026 and flyouts after AEA in early 2027. We will reach out accordingly.

Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the hiring process. Questions not addressed in the FAQ should be directed to hiring@mitblueprintlabs.org.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: A doctoral degree in economics, education, public policy, political science, computer science, or a related field is required.
• Experience: Candidates should have a demonstrated track record of conducting research in partnership with charter schools and/or major school districts or state education agencies in the US.
• Communication Skills: Strong writing and speaking skills and the ability to communicate across multiple stakeholders in memos, papers, and presentations.
• Technical Skills: Strong analytical skills and knowledge of econometric methods. Extensive experience with STATA, R, and/or other programming software. Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in relation to complex research tasks.
• Management and Leadership: Must have strong management skills and the ability to prioritize and deliver results. Project management skills including the ability to plan projects, determine staffing, set timelines, and execute plans to meet organizational goals.
• Responsibility and Judgment: Must be able to work independently and across several different projects at once. Handles confidential information and issues with discretion and good judgment.

Supervision Received: This position receives minimal oversight, reporting directly to Blueprint Executive Director Eryn Heying.

Supervision Exercised: The Postdoctoral Associate will provide indirect supervision to junior research and policy staff.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.