Economist

About Niche

Niche is the leader in school search. Our mission is to make researching and enrolling in schools easy, transparent, and free. With in-depth profiles on every school and college in America, 140 million reviews and ratings, and powerful search tools, we help millions of people find the right school for them. We also help thousands of schools recruit more best-fit students, by highlighting what makes them great and making it easier to visit and apply.

Niche is all about finding where you belong, and that mission inspires how we operate every day. We want Niche to be a place where people truly enjoy working and can thrive professionally.

About The Role

We are looking for someone with strong technical expertise and a knack for data-driven storytelling to join Niche as an Economist. In this role, you'll lead end-to-end research to transform data using tools like Python—applying statistical methods, analyzing trends, and clearly communicating insights to diverse audiences.

You’ll work with both internal and external data sources to uncover and proactively share what’s shaping K-12 and higher education today. By producing original research and serving as a public-facing voice for Niche, you'll help students, families, and education leaders make smarter decisions.

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Content and working closely with the Data team, this role will create compelling narratives and timely analyses that teams across the organization will leverage. Whether delivering insights to the public or equipping internal teams with a deeper understanding of our data, your work will help position Niche as a premier, trusted authority in edtech. 

What You Will Do

• Lead Niche’s economic research efforts by producing research that blends Niche’s data with relevant government and industry data, extracting key trends impacting the K-12 and higher education space
• Build and maintain econometric models using time-series, causal inference, and machine learning techniques to forecast demographic and education trends
• Extract, analyze, and translate complex datasets into easy-to-understand insights for varied audiences that include education leaders, students, families, the media, and other key stakeholders
• Serve as Niche data spokesperson, sharing insights and commentary on market, demographic, and education trends through research reports, live and recorded media interviews, social media channels, panels and more
• Drive content innovation by shaping the roadmap for insights and writing original content on Niche.com, as well as recurring and ad-hoc reports
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop proprietary indices, and market intelligence views for nimble, quick turnarounds, ensuring data is accurate, timely, and actionable

What We Are Looking For

• Degree in statistics, economics, computer science, or a related field; Master’s or PhD preferred
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in applied data science or economic research
• A strong writer and communicator with ability to analyze large, complex datasets, and speak to them as sound bites for diverse audiences
• Comfortable and confident public speaker (media, presentations, conferences, etc.)
• Expertise in statistical modeling and forecasting, including time-series methods and causal inference techniques
• Proficient in data science tools and languages such as R, Python, and SQL (or similar) for data querying and transformation
• Experience building charts with Tableau (or other data visualization software) to be used in research reports, sales decks, and content
• Familiarity with economic and education datasets (e.g., Census, Claritas, IPEDS, Moody’s Analytics) is a strong plus

Compensation 

Our national target base salary range is $165,750-$207,000, plus participation in our Annual Bonus and Stock Option Program. Base compensation will be commensurate with experience and skills.

At Niche, our Total Rewards Philosophy is centered around creating a workplace environment that attracts, motivates, and retains top talent by providing a comprehensive and competitive rewards package.  This philosophy is built on the principles of performance-based compensation, best-in-class benefits and work-life balance, and employee well-being.

Interview Process

Candidate experience is a top priority for our talent and hiring teams.  We believe in providing a transparent, authentic and comprehensive interview process where you have the opportunity to learn about us while we get to know you and your experience.  The interview process is outlined here:

• Phone Screen with Talent Acquisition Partner - 30 Minutes

• Video Interview with Hiring Manager - 45 mins

• Engineering & Analytics Team Interview - 45 Minutes 

• Leadership Interview - 45 Minutes 

• Assignment & Presentation - 60 Minutes

Why Niche?

• We are a fully flexible workforce empowering our employees to choose to work remotely, in our Pittsburgh office or whatever combination suits you
• Full time, salaried position with competitive compensation in a fast-growing company
• Best-in-class 100% paid employee health plan, including vision and dental and supplemental coverage
• Flexible Paid Time Off Policy
• Stipend that allows you to build your work from home office in a style and function that suits your personal preferences
• Parental leave for all employees (12 weeks fully paid) in addition to short term disability for birthing parents
• Meaningful 401(k) with employer match
• Your ideas and work will make an immediate impact on our company and millions of users
• You will join a team that cares about you, our mission, our work - and celebrates our wins together!

Niche will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future for this opening.  

**While this role is remote, there is a strong preference for candidates to be located proximate to Pittsburgh, PA (or, minimally, a short flight or drive away). EST time zone only

Candidates only.  No recruiters or agencies, please. Sorry, we do not offer relocation assistance.

Niche is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

All interviews are being held remotely. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.