Quantitative Researcher, Evidence Synthesis & Meta-Analysis

American Institutes for Research•Chicago, NC

About The Position

The Quantitative Researcher contributes to rigorous evidence synthesis and quantitative research across education projects. The role designs and conducts systematic reviews and meta-analyses, evaluates the quality and strength of research evidence, and applies advanced quantitative methods to impact evaluations. The researcher collaborates with researchers, subject matter experts, and clients to translate complex evidence into clear, actionable insights for education policy, programs, and practice. The position may be performed remotely within the United States (excluding U.S. territories) or from a U.S. office location. The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address challenges in the United States and globally, generating evidence and applying data-driven solutions to expand opportunities and improve lives. The role may also involve managing or leading projects and tasks, developing proposals for external funding, mentoring junior staff, contributing to tools and software for evidence synthesis, and delivering training and professional learning activities.

Requirements

A Master’s degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D., in education, statistics, research methods, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Experience with key components of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including literature screening, study coding, data extraction, effect-size calculation, and quantitative synthesis.
Knowledge of diverse quantitative research designs, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs.
Demonstrated ability to assess study quality and apply quantitative methods in impact evaluation and evidence synthesis.
Experience applying evidence standards, review criteria, or evidence-rating frameworks in research syntheses, evidence clearinghouses, or related initiatives.
Ability to communicate complex methodological concepts and research findings clearly, orally and in writing, to technical and non-technical audiences.
Expertise in advanced evidence synthesis methods, including meta-analytic modeling, assessment of heterogeneity and variation in effects, and evaluation of selective reporting bias.
Ability to assess methodological rigor across study designs and translate research evidence into transparent, defensible evidence ratings or recommendations.
Ability to apply appropriate quantitative methods to the design and analysis of experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluations.
Proficiency in a statistical programming language or software, such as R, and ability to learn and apply new statistical and methodological tools.
Current authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis; employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.
Selected candidates must adhere to AIR’s child safeguarding standards and undergo reference and background checks.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or interest in applying AI-enabled tools to support literature screening, coding, data extraction, or other evidence synthesis activities.

Responsibilities

Develop research designs and study protocols for evidence synthesis across education, workforce, and health programs and topic areas.
Design and implement transparent, reproducible evidence synthesis workflows, including literature screening, data extraction, quality assessment, effect-size calculation, and meta-analysis.
Extract and synthesize evidence from diverse research designs, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, single-case designs, and other quantitative research approaches.
Conduct meta-analyses using advanced statistical methods and software, assessing heterogeneity, variation in effects, and selective reporting bias.
Develop and apply evidence review frameworks, study quality standards, and evidence-rating criteria for evidence clearinghouses, research syntheses, and related initiatives.
Contribute to the design and implementation of impact evaluations, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, using appropriate quantitative methods to estimate program impacts.
Collaborate with clients and subject matter experts to develop and refine evidence review criteria and processes aligned with project goals and policy needs.
Contribute to the design, testing, and improvement of tools and software that support evidence synthesis workflows and methods.
Develop and deliver training and other professional learning activities related to evidence synthesis methods and tools.
Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and other written materials that communicate findings accessibly and usefully to policymakers and other decision makers.
Present findings to clients, professional associations, and the public.
Manage or lead projects and tasks, taking on greater project management responsibility over time.
Participate in and, where appropriate, lead efforts to develop research proposals that generate external funding for evidence synthesis and impact evaluation studies.
Mentor and support junior staff by providing methodological guidance, sharing problem-solving approaches, and giving feedback on their work.