Career Opportunities

MassINC is seeking applicants for the Greg Torres Senior Fellows Program—a competitive, part-time fellowship designed for civic leaders who are ready to advance evidence-based ideas, independent journalism, and statewide impact across Massachusetts.

Torres Senior Fellows collaborate closely with MassINC staff and partners to develop and drive high-impact projects that align with organizational priorities, from convening stakeholders and strengthening public engagement to supporting strategic research, storytelling, and innovative new funding pathways that sustain our work for the future. Fellows are selected through a rolling review process and will join a cohort of 4-5 individuals built to reflect the diversity and talent of leaders across the Commonwealth.

About this role

The MassINC Policy Center seeks an experienced, dynamic, and self-driven Senior Research Associate to lead our research and policy efforts along the education-to-career continuum. Reporting to the Policy Center Director, the Senior Research Associate will be responsible for developing and leading research projects, presenting research findings, serving on advocacy coalitions to provide subject matter expertise, and preparing public commentary. Strong candidates will have experience producing self-directed policy research and writing on education and workforce issues.

Responsibilities

The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for:

• Developing and leading research projects with both quantitative and qualitative elements. Projects will include a mix of partnerships with academic partners and primary and secondary research produced in-house.
• Presenting research findings in a variety of settings, including public forums and testimony before boards, commissions, and legislative committees.
• Building relationships with funders and other external partners and serving as the Policy Center’s representative on various advocacy coalitions.
• Producing timely analysis and short written pieces for newsletters, blogs, op-eds, and social media.
• Managing interns.
• Collaborating regularly with MassINC staff on public events and other organizational needs.

Experience and Qualifications

A successful candidate will have:

• Experience in public policy research (a minimum of 4 years of experience and advanced degree preferred).
• Strong writing skills.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Arrangements

MassINC is currently a hybrid office based in Boston. This role will be expected to be in the office 3 days a week and attend in-person events as necessary.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $100,000. MassINC provides a full suite of benefits including health care with HRA, dental insurance, 401K plus company match, FSA and DCA, unlimited vacation, generous parental leave, and 13 paid holidays throughout the year, among other benefits.

To apply for this job

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3-5 content samples to MassINC COO, Maeve Duggan (mduggan@massinc.org). If possible, content samples should include a variety of examples such as research reports, articles, or links to recorded media/event appearances.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

We are committed to advancing equitable access to opportunities and resources at MassINC and across the Commonwealth, and to addressing barriers and structural systems that perpetuate inequity. To achieve this, we encourage robust debate, shaped by a wide range of lived experiences and informed opinions.

At MassINC, we believe that diversity and inclusion is not only critical to our workforce, but to our overall mission and purpose to move the organization, and Massachusetts, forward. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

About MassINC

MassINC’s mission is to make Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity by providing residents the nonpartisan research, reporting, analysis, and civic engagement necessary to understand policy choices, inform decision making, and hold the government accountable. Along with our Policy Center, MassINC publishes CommonWealth Beacon and is home to the MassINC Polling Group, a for-profit subsidiary.

The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute at the MassINC Policy Center was established in 2012 to strengthen connections across communities and help Gateway City leaders develop and advance a shared policy agenda.

The MassINC Policy Center seeks policy interns to assist with a variety of research projects over the summer. Issues may include housing, transportation, education, and economic development, with a particular focus on Gateway Cities. Interns may also assist with events, communications, and administrative tasks as the need arises.

About MassINC and The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute

MassINC’s mission is to make Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity by providing residents with the nonpartisan research, reporting, analysis, and civic engagement necessary to understand policy choices, inform decision making, and hold the government accountable.

MassINC’s Policy Center produces original research, convenes partners, practitioners, and the public, and advocates for evidence-based policy solutions. The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute works to unlock the economic potential of small to mid-size regional cities by bringing leaders together to build and advance a shared policy agenda.

Interns will have the chance to work with both the Policy Center and the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute depending on the projects that they are interested in and assigned.

Qualifications

The following qualifications and skills are desired for this position:

• Excellent writing and computer skills, especially with Excel
• Strong interest in a career in public policy advocacy and/or research
• Familiarity with MassINC’s core issues
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, GIS, and statistical analysis programs, such as R or Stata, is beneficial but not required

Expectations and compensation

Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week for 15 weeks from mid-May through August, with at least two days a week at our office located in downtown Boston. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply. MassINC will make a best effort to align project work with student interests, course requirements, and/or capstone projects where applicable.

This is a paid position starting at $20/hour for undergraduates and $25/hour for graduate students. We anticipate hiring 2-3 interns.

How to apply

Please send a resume and cover letter expressing your interest to MassINC’s Chief Operating Officer, Maeve Duggan, at mduggan@massinc.org. Applications are due by March 13, 2026. We will notify applicants by April 17, 2026, for summer positions.