NOTE TO APPLICANTS: Thank you for your interest in this position. Please DO NOT create an account; it is NOT a required step to submit your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The Data Foundation is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that champions the use of data and evidence-informed policy to improve society for everyone. We are a trusted authority on the use of open, accessible data to fuel a more efficient, effective, and accountable government; spark innovation; and provide insights to the country’s most pressing challenges. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data. 

The Data Foundation has four core values that guide our work:

• Transparency: We rely on facts and transparency to generate trust and credibility
• Pragmatic action: We promote practical, timely solutions to data-related challenges – our ethos is “See a problem, fix a problem”
• Radical collaboration: We enthusiastically pursue opportunities to foster non-traditional collaboration with people and groups that hold divergent beliefs and points of view to jointly identify and solve problems
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: We seek to embrace and include diversity in all of its forms in our work, and our belief is that through the use of data and research, more equitable opportunities and outcomes will be achieved.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Data Foundation’s policy and research analyst roles support the organization’s wide-ranging programmatic activities. The analyst position is flexible to accommodate partner projects, project delivery, research execution, and policy engagement. This position requires familiarity with the federal policy environment and research training. Ideal candidates will have some familiarity with or knowledge about federal laws, regulations, or policies that relate to how agencies collect, organize, and use data and/or evidence in decision-making. Potential areas of expertise could include research, data science, natural science, statistics, policy analysis, performance management, evaluation, computer science, or privacy. 

The Data Foundation is hiring for an analyst to work with the Center for Evidence Capacity, which supports the Data Foundation’s mission with projects and activities that aim to improve policies and activities related to the resources, people, processes, and funding needed to have effective data and evidence used while policies are being implemented. Emerging topics in the portfolio may include a focus on multi-year learning agendas, engagement strategies, evaluation policy to use data for impact, data and AI literacy, and evidence transparency.

This non-supervisory position may be based in Washington, DC or remote in the United States, with expectations for an Eastern Time Zone work schedule in consultation with the position’s supervisor, the Director of Evidence Capacity. 

The Data Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide subject matter expertise on relevant evaluation and evidence capacity, and practices in the federal government 
• Support research on issues that relate to data and evidence policies, including the use of research evidence in practice
• Contribute to white papers and articles, and the development of policy options on issues related to the availability and use of evidence for decision-making
• Draft and publish relevant policy briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, explainers, and resources, and develop other appropriate media that address timely issues of relevance to the Data Foundation and key stakeholders
• Support events sponsored by the Data Foundation to provide lay-accessible dialogue about relevant concepts and issues
• Contribute to organizational efforts to identify emerging needs, priorities, and risks for projects in the assigned portfolio

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Experience conducting and using policy research
• Willingness to work in a non-partisan capacity
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, particularly through written materials and in presentations to a variety of audiences
• Knowledge of and interest in data policy, evidence-informed policymaking, evaluation policy, or science policy
• Understanding of or experience working with implementation of federal government programs and policies 
• Ability to multitask on numerous projects, large and small, in both collaborative and independent situations 
• Demonstrated research and organizational skills
• Support for the core values of the Data Foundation

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Experience in policy, research, or analysis is preferred. Work experience will not be considered as a substitute for a master’s degree. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Data Foundation offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and education. The full-time position is budgeted at $45,000. 

Individuals interested in this position should submit: 

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant experience
• Current cv or resume
• Self-produced writing sample demonstrating policy analysis capabilities (must not be written by generative AI), such as a single-authored blog article or publication 
• Contact information for three references (we will contact you before contacting your references)

Direct applications to careers@datafoundation.org. Please include the position title in the subject line of the email. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with initial reviews beginning in February 2026.