Tufts University · 1 month ago
Research Analyst II, Modeling and Forecasting - The Fletcher School
Medford, MA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$60K/yr - $90K/yr
2+ years expTufts University is home to The Fletcher School, the United States' first professional graduate school of international affairs. They are seeking a Research Analyst to lead analytical and computational modeling work for the Digital Divide Modeling Project, focusing on forecasting digital readiness and mobile internet adoption across low- and middle-income countries.
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Responsibilities
Develop research goals, analytical strategies, and modeling frameworks in collaboration with the Head of Research and Principal Investigator
Manage the end-to-end research workflow for the Digital Divide Modeling Project, including data acquisition, cleaning, model design, and validation
Coordinate timelines and deliverables across modeling, visualization, and publication workstreams
Communicate progress, findings, and implications clearly to internal teams, funders, and external partners
Prepare summaries, reports, and briefings for both technical and policy audiences
Contribute to the preparation of grant progress reports and new funding proposals
Develop and implement statistical and machine learning models (e.g., multiple regression, LASSO, gradient boosting, random forests) to forecast digital readiness and inclusion trajectories
Conduct scenario and sensitivity analyses to estimate how changes in affordability, coverage, and literacy impact digital adoption outcomes
Perform econometric modeling and elasticity estimation to identify high-impact drivers of digital inclusion
Design, test, and document model specifications, assumptions, and validation approaches to ensure transparency and reproducibility
Integrate and harmonize large-scale, multi-source datasets (GSMA, ITU, DHS/MICS, Findex, World Bank, IHME, etc.) for use in analytical pipelines
Collaborate with data engineers and designers to operationalize model outputs into dashboards, visualization tools, or interactive policy platforms
Prepare modeling code and workflows for publication in open repositories (e.g., GitHub), ensuring compliance with reproducible research standards
Conduct literature reviews and synthesize findings related to digital inclusion, technology adoption, and economic development
Track and summarize emerging research, data releases, and methodologies relevant to digital readiness measurement
Draft and edit analytical reports, blogs, working papers, and journal articles
Prepare data visualizations, figures, and tables to communicate results to diverse audiences
Provide quantitative and qualitative support for other Digital Planet research projects as needed
Train and mentor student researchers and temporary assistants working on data analysis and modeling tasks
Recruit, train, and supervise student research assistants and interns
Review and guide their coding, documentation, and data quality practices
Coordinate collaborative modeling and data integration workstreams across internal and external partners
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in economics, data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, quantitative social science, or related field
2-5 years of relevant research experience, ideally in quantitative or applied policy research, data science, machine learning, or economic modeling
Prior experience working with international development, digital inclusion, or technology policy data
Experience preparing results for publication and presenting analytical work to external audiences
Demonstrated proficiency in statistical programming — R and Python required
Proven experience conducting quantitative modeling, including regression, forecasting, or machine learning techniques
Strong understanding of data management, cleaning, and integration from multiple large-scale sources (survey data, open data, proprietary datasets)
Experience applying forecasting and scenario analysis methods in policy, economics, or technology contexts
Familiarity with reproducible research workflows (Git, R Markdown, Jupyter, or similar) and collaborative data environments
Experience in data visualization and communication tools (Tableau required; ggplot2, or Plotly preferred)
Comfort interpreting results for non-technical audiences and translating model outputs into policy-relevant insights
Preferred
Master's degree in economics, data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, quantitative social science, or related field
Advanced coursework in econometrics, statistical modeling, or machine learning strongly preferred
Knowledge of geospatial or temporal modeling methods is a plus (e.g., interpolation, time-series forecasting, spatial regression)
Exceptional analytical writing and communication skills
Strong attention to detail, organizational ability, and time management
Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
Interest in the intersection of digital transformation, AI readiness, and development policy
Fluency in English required; additional language skills desirable
Time-management: Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks simultaneously, complete assigned tasks, and meet deadlines
Willingness to work hard, be self-motivated and learn will be essential for doing well in this position
Company
Tufts University
With four campuses in Massachusetts, Tufts is a research university committed to helping students and faculty generate bold ideas, innovate, and become active citizens of the world.
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