Workforce Development Research Lead

Natcast (short for The National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology) is a new, purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium, established by the CHIPS Act of the U.S. government.

Working at Natcast represents an opportunity to help extend America’s leadership in semiconductor technology, significantly reduce the time and cost of moving from idea to commercialization, and build and sustain a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

These efforts to advance semiconductor technology and seed new industries built on the capabilities of a wide range of advanced chips hold the potential to benefit the country and the world for generations to come.

Workforce Development Research Lead 

The Workforce Development Research Lead at Natcast is a critical role within the NSTC Workforce Center of Excellence’s Signals team. You will drive innovative research focused on the semiconductor industry's talent ecosystem, identifying and addressing workforce gaps, emerging skill needs, and strategic labor market trends.  Most importantly, the position will lead efforts to evaluate semiconductor workforce development programs for effectiveness and support other education/training providers in their efforts to use evidence to improve their programs. Reporting to the Director of Analytics & Insights, this position requires exceptional analytical and research design skills, advanced quantitative expertise, and outstanding writing and communication abilities. Your work will directly inform national workforce initiatives under the CHIPS & Science Act, providing actionable insights to industry, academic, and governmental stakeholders as well as students who may wish to pursue careers in semiconductors. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Design and execute comprehensive research projects to identify and analyze semiconductor workforce trends, skill gaps, and talent pipeline dynamics. 

• Collaborate closely with industry leaders, academic partners, and government agencies to identify & access diverse datasets, ensuring findings are relevant and actionable. 

• Perform advanced statistical analyses and predictive modeling to forecast workforce demands and evaluate training program effectiveness. 

• Author clear, compelling, and high-quality research reports, policy briefs, and presentations tailored for program operators, policymakers, industry executives, workforce development professionals, and students. 

• Develop innovative methodologies to identify and interpret non-traditional labor market signals and emerging workforce trends. 

• Provide strategic thought leadership on semiconductor workforce analytics, continuously enhancing research approaches and outcomes. 

Required Qualifications 

• Master's or PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science, Workforce Development, or a closely related analytical field. 

• At least 5 years of experience in labor market/workforce development research, workforce analytics, or economic analysis, including proven responsibility for designing and leading multiple research studies. 

• Expertise in advanced statistical techniques and proficiency with analytical software (e.g., R, Python, SAS, SPSS, Stata). 

• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex data and deliver insightful analyses through well-crafted reports and visualizations. 

• Deep familiarity with labor market data sources such as BLS, Census, and alternative workforce-related datasets. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders effectively. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Direct experience with semiconductor industry workforce issues and knowledge of the semiconductor manufacturing environment. 

• Experience leveraging alternative labor market data sources or advanced labor analytics platforms. 

• Background in public policy research, particularly related to workforce development, STEM education, or economic competitiveness. 

• Possessing a strong network and experience collaborating with workforce development boards, industry associations, educational institutions, and government entities. 

• Published research or thought leadership in labor economics, workforce development, or related fields. 

Why Natcast? Join Natcast to shape and inform critical workforce strategies that underpin America's semiconductor industry's growth and competitiveness. We provide a collaborative, dynamic environment where your insights directly impact national innovation and workforce solutions, fostering your professional growth while contributing meaningfully to strategic national objectives. 

Natcast is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any protected attribute. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please let us know. 

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