Public Policy Research Associate Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
08/14/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45932B
Job Title
Research Associate
Working Title
Research Economist
Career Progression Track
A00
Track Level
FLSA Code
Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This is not a remote position.
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
01599 - The Policy Institute
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$65,000 - $88,000
Close Date
08/28/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute seeks a research economist to work with the economic research team researching and analyzing Utah's economy and related public policy topics. The research economist will collaborate with professional staff to help business and community leaders, and the public at large, make informed decisions.
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute subscribes to five committable core values. We call them committable values because we make serious personnel and project decisions based on these values. We call them core because we integrate them into everything we do. They are internal values, but are reflected externally in the products and services we provide to the community. Taken together, our committable core values define who we are, how we conduct ourselves, and what comprises our work culture.
Responsibility to the community
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute exists to serve Utah and help our state prosper. While we make a contribution to regional, national and international public policy issues, we focus on assisting communities of interest within our state make informed decisions.
Research integrity and relevance
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute adheres to ethical principles and professional standards essential for responsible research. We value independent, relevant, meaningful, and understandable work.
Accountability
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute holds employees responsible for being continually productive in the work setting, being fiscally responsible, and delivering high quality products and services to the community, university, Eccles School, donors, and clients.
Collaboration
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute actively partners with people and organizations on campus and in the community to achieve our vision and mission. We believe teamwork among our staff will provide the best research and foster success.
Positive and passionate
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute employs people who are deeply committed to their craft and contribute to a positive and respectful work environment. We seek a congenial workplace where individual differences are both respected and celebrated, and we have fun along the way.
Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Utah's economy and other public policy topics. This includes preparing scopes of work, cleaning and analyzing data for trends and insights, and authoring reports.
• Build and maintain economic and public finance forecasting models using AI tools and various programming languages.
• Create and maintain data visualizations and dashboards using Excel, R Shiny, Tableau, and other software tools.
• Present research highlights, data, and analysis to clients, business and community leaders, and the public.
• Facilitate cooperative and collaborative relationships with clients, community, campus partners, and other institutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, information systems, computer science, or a related area
• Two years' work experience; programming experience with R or Python
• Familiarity with model development
• Experience with Microsoft Excel
• Experience with data analysis and visualization
• Effective human relations and communication skills.
• Knowledge of the Utah economy and public sector
• Familiarity with AI tools such as Codex and Claude
• Familiarity with R Shiny and Tableau.

Preferences

• Master's degree in economics, statistics, information systems, computer science, or a related area
• Four years' work experience (met through combination of work and post-graduate education)

Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.