Details
09/16/2026
Senior Research Associate
Greater Ohio Policy Center
Salary Range: $55,000-$62,000
GOPC seeks a detail-oriented, nimble candidate for a full-time position (40 hours/week) to undertake research, analysis, and project management support. The ideal candidate will have experience collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and is interested in legacy city issues, such as: neighborhood revitalization, increasing housing quality and options, brownfield site remediation, transit, and increasing active transportation options in Ohio.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
• Under the direction of Executive Director and/or Research Director (“Senior Staff”), the Senior Research Associate will be an integral contributor to high-quality research projects. These projects will focus on local and state issues and best practices related to revitalization, particularly around housing and neighborhood real estate market conditions. This position will also contribute research that will inform GOPC’s policy recommendations regarding active transportation and state transportation funding priorities; state policy changes that better support legacy communities; and the cost of infrastructure and government services to low-density development
• Expertly navigate key databases to extract needed information (Census, ESRI, Zillow, On the Map, ODOT’s Transportation Information Mapping System (TIMS), local real estate files, etc.)
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings for select projects. This could include one-on-one informational interviews, peer learning network, and public engagement events
• Plan and execute GOPC events through logistical support and content development co-created with Senior Staff
• Assist colleagues with small, discrete research mini-projects, as requested
Research and Project Work (75% of job responsibilities)
• Undertake directed research using: Census and ACS data gathering and graphing, literature scans and reviews, and other information gathering activities. ArcGIS and ESRI knowledge is strongly desired.
• Collect and analyze qualitative data such as one-on-one interviews and group interviews with interviewees approved by Senior Staff, survey results, and emailed responses from stakeholders
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data; produce summaries and takeaways
• Visualize data through graphs, charts and select graphics
• Must be a critical reader, thinker, and writer who is able to analyze and synthesize material to produce key takeaway summaries and generate insights. Must be able to effectively communicate these takeaways/insights in written memos and in meetings
• Conduct literature reviews and background internet research on selected topics
• Produce informational graphics and designed one-pagers, reports, and presentations. Experience with design software such as InDesign, Illustrator, or Canva is preferred
• Senior Research Associate will be expected to carry out at least one housing market analysis research project per year under direction of and as part of a team with Senior Staff. Other projects may focus on housing markets or other issues important to GOPC. Senior Research Associate will be expected to regularly check-in with managing staff to discuss findings, report on progress, and share drafts
Collaborate with Executive and Senior Staff in Developing New Projects (15% of job responsibilities):
• On select projects, Senior Research Associate will work closely and collaboratively with Senior Staff to develop research question, research work plan, and outline of the report or other deliverables
• Provide information and feedback to Senior Staff to help Senior Staff evolve or iterate projects as needed
• Draft select funding proposals and RFP responses in close collaboration with Senior Staff
• Work under the direction of and in collaboration with Senior Staff to connect GOPC’s research to its legislative agenda
Communications and Other Duties as Assigned (10% of job responsibilities):
• Devise and execute rollout strategies for publications and draft related communications materials including press releases, guest columns, and blog posts
• Contribute to GOPC’s external communications by periodically writing blog posts and newsletter articles
• Other relevant duties, as assigned
This position reports directly to the Executive Director. This position will also report to other Senior Staff, especially the Research Director, on select projects. The Chain of Command among Executive Director, Research Director, and Senior Research Associate will be clarified ahead of time, and throughout the course of individual projects.
Education/Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor degree required; master’s degree in a relevant field preferred
• 3 years of professional workplace experience
• Interest in legacy cities and revitalization. Coursework in urban and regional planning, public policy, journalism, data management, or social sciences preferred
• Proven ability to produce strong, clear writing on a deadline
• Ability to work and communicate with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Strong familiarity with ACS/Census, other databases (like ESRI and Zillow) and local data sources, like county auditor’s parcel maps
• Familiarity with GIS/data mapping
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive
• Comfortable working in team settings
• Ability to independently manage workload when working remotely
Knowledge Requirements:
• Must be strong writer
• Must exhibit high degree of professionalism appropriate for high level partners
• Must be extremely detail-oriented
• Experience conducting qualitative interviews and/or facilitating meetings
• Experience with visual design, such as InDesign, Illustrator, Canva
• Senior Research Associate is expected to have a deep familiarity with Ohio. Candidates are not required to have subject familiarity or technical expertise in community revitalization, per se, but are expected to be able to overcome the learning curve quickly
Other Job Information:
• The Greater Ohio Policy Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
• Employees must live in Ohio full time
• GOPC has offices in Columbus and Cincinnati. New hires at GOPC must work at least two full days per week in-office in Columbus or Cincinnati and work in the Cincinnati office once a month for at least the first nine months of the job. After nine months and satisfactory demonstration of skills and progress towards learning the ‘GOPC voice,’ employees may work remotely 4 days a week and 1 day in-office. GOPC will not reimburse for mileage for travel to in-office days
• Attendance at quarterly board meetings and key events in Columbus is required
• There will be occasional travel around the state for projects
• Position will work outside of normal business hours occasionally
• There is opportunity for advancement in this position. The professional progression at GOPC is Associate=>Manager=>Director
• GOPC staff must work during typical business hours (9-5, M-F) although the specific hours can be adjusted (ex: 7:30-4). Staff work hours are mutually agreed upon by staffer and GOPC’s Executive Director
• GOPC is a family-friendly employer and understands, within reason, that staff may need to be unavailable for short periods during the day for parenting/caretaking responsibilities. That said, GOPC requires employees to work in a distraction-free environment. Adjustments to schedules to accommodate life responsibilities are negotiated as part of the hiring package and annual review process
Required Application Materials:
Please include a resume, list of 3 references (at least 2 references must be a relevant workplace reference and not an academic reference based on classwork), a brief writing sample (excerpt of capstone paper, research memo, or other document is fine), and a cover letter. In the cover letter, please describe, in detail, specific work or volunteer experiences that have prepared candidate to quickly and competently “jump into” this position. Submissions must be original work; AI generated content will be screened and rejected. Generic cover letters and resumes will not receive serious consideration.
Salary and Benefits
Estimated $55,000-$62,000 commensurate with experience.
Greater Ohio Policy Center offers medical, dental, and life insurance benefits immediately. After 1 year of service, employees are eligible for GOPC’s SIMPLE IRA plan, which matches employee contributions up to 3%.
For employees who work a minimum of 30 hours a week, GOPC provides: 10 paid federal holidays, 2 weeks vacation, 2 weeks sick time, 2 personal days, and usually closes between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Staff that work more than 30 hours/week are provided additional vacation weeks after 3 and 6 years of continual service.
Staff that work a minimum of 30 hours a week and have completed one year of service may take parental or medical leave of absence, which includes: continued coverage of GOPC's portion of health insurance costs; full salary continuation for 20 days (4 weeks) within any 12-month period, and an additional 30 days of protected unpaid leave (6 weeks). Employees may apply vacation and sick time to unpaid leave to get paid during the unpaid 6 weeks. Appropriate medical documentation is required before leave is granted.
Application Submission Information:
Send application materials to Casey Terry, Senior Research Manager at cterry@greaterohio.org. Applications will not be accepted after Friday, October 9, 2026, 9:00amET.
About the Organization:
The mission of the Greater Ohio Policy Center is to advance strong local economies and community revitalization across Ohio by equipping communities and leaders with place-based research, collaboration, and advocacy. Our vision is a revitalized Ohio.
Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) is a moderate, bipartisan, non-profit based in Columbus and operating statewide. GOPC is a nationally recognized research and policy organization, experienced convener, and trusted consultant.
