About the position
The Virginia Department of Education I'm Determined Center (IMD) at JMU is seeking a qualified and experienced education professional to implement research agendas on behalf on the Center. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who is interested in a work environment that affords ongoing professional learning opportunities, collaboration with colleagues, and an opportunity to influence educational practices. This is a grant-funded position. The Research Ambassador's main role is to analyze many of the longstanding practices in I'm Determined and translate them into practitioner-friendly research. While research agendas will be set by I'm Determined leadership, the research ambassador will support a growing research agenda. This role will require leadership in research methodology and design, coordination of research projects, and intentional participation from youth leaders, educators, and families. This research will prioritize the positive outcomes associated with developing self-determination and youth leadership, particularly in education, and will also look to conduct research that incorporates and reflects the emerging thoughts and ideas of youth leaders and young people who are displaying self-determination in their daily lives. This is a tele-eligible position.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate on the development of research initiatives focused on self-determination, including designing studies, defining methodologies, and establishing measurable objectives to assess the impact on student empowerment, leadership development, and self-advocacy.
- Lead the collection, organization, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations. Use statistical tools and software to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and generate actionable insights.
- Integrate principles of self-determination theory-such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness-into research practices to evaluate their application and benefits for students with disabilities in educational contexts.
- Develop clear, comprehensive research reports, visualizations, and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders, including school administrators, educators, families, and youth. Highlight the impact of the I'm Determined Project on self-determination outcomes.
- Design research tools, processes, and dissemination materials that meet accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508, WCAG) to ensure inclusivity and engagement of diverse participants and audiences.
- Partner with the Innovation Lead and other team members to integrate research findings into program design, communication strategies, and professional development efforts, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices.
- Oversee research timelines, deliverables, and team activities, ensuring that all tasks are completed on schedule, within budget, and with high-quality outcomes.
- Employ platforms such as SPSS, NVivo, Tableau, or Qualtrics to streamline data collection, analysis, and visualization for research on self-determination and related outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, participant confidentiality, and regulatory requirements, particularly in studies involving students with disabilities.
- Contribute to translating research findings into actionable strategies to inform program implementation and support students in developing self-determination and leadership skills.
Requirements
- Doctoral degree in education, psychology, special education, social sciences, or a related field. A focus on self-determination, disability studies, or educational research is preferred.
- Previous professional experience conducting research in educational or disability-focused settings, with a track record of applying research findings to improve practices or programs.
- Strong understanding of Self-Determination Theory and frameworks, including their application in educational contexts to enhance autonomy, competence, and relatedness among students with disabilities.
- Expertise in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using tools such as SPSS, NVivo, R, or other statistical and qualitative analysis software.
- Experience managing research projects, including developing timelines, coordinating team activities, and meeting deliverables within deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
- Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive practices in research, ensuring materials and processes are designed to engage participants with diverse needs.
- Understanding of K-12 educational systems and special education practices, including collaboration with educators, administrators, and families.
- Knowledge of ethical guidelines for research, including IRB processes, participant confidentiality, and obtaining consent for studies involving youth with disabilities.
- Proficiency in research tools and platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Tableau, Microsoft Excel), as well as familiarity with digital tools for presenting and disseminating findings.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a statewide, collaborative team environment, contributing research expertise to support organizational goals and program innovation.
- A professional commitment to advancing the self-determination and empowerment of youth with disabilities through evidence-based practices and research-driven insights.
- Ability to travel regionally and occasionally statewide.
