Quantitative Researcher, Human and Community Development

American Institutes for Research

1d•Remote

About The Position

AIR is seeking a Quantitative Researcher to join our Human and Community Development Program. AIR’s work in Human and Community Development focuses on generating evidence-informed solutions and partnering with communities, practitioners, and policymakers to help people and systems thrive across the life course. Together, our team leverages research, evaluation, technical assistance, and implementation support to strengthen programs and policies that affect individuals, families, and communities—particularly those that have been historically marginalized or under-resourced. In support of this work, the selected candidate will apply rigorous quantitative approaches to research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects leveraging an array of quasi-experimental, experimental, and other data analytics designs (e.g., machine learning). They are expected to apply advanced statistical techniques with methodological rigor and translate evidence on what works into clear, actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners within complex, human and community development contexts. This role requires the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and respond to real-world opportunities and challenges, with an emphasis on: Community Health, including evidence translation and communication to inform health care choices; healthy behaviors; housing and homelessness; behavioral health; disaster preparedness; and rural health Children and Families, including early childhood, early learning, child care, maternal and infant health, and child welfare Safety and Justice, including violence prevention and the prevention of harmful behaviors among defense and law enforcement personnel; juvenile and adult justice systems (diversion, facilities, and reentry) as well as their community-based system alternatives Youth Development, including out-of-school time and summer learning, youth sports and arts, adolescent science, informal learning (libraries, museums), and youth economic mobility) Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Requirements

PhD in related subject area (Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Public Health, Human Development, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or related field), or a master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant applied research experience.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing evidence through rigorous research and evaluation.
Knowledge of and experience in human and community development topic areas.
Experience designing research and evaluation protocols, including study design, data collection, and analytic plans.
Experience applying rigorous quantitative methodologies, including experimental and quasi-experimental approaches (e.g., propensity score matched designs, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity designs, instrumental variables), using administrative and/or survey data.
Ability to translate conceptual or policy-relevant questions into concrete work plans, timelines, and analytic strategies.
Experience using analytic software packages such as, R or STATA.
Ability to effectively communicate research findings to broad audiences both in writing (e.g., reports, briefs), visually (e.g., infographics, dashboards), and orally (e.g., presentations).
Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience with complex data integration and data visualization, including the development and use of analytic dashboards preferred, but not required.
Experience with rigorous qualitative methods (e.g., structured interviews, focus groups, observations, survey research) preferred, but not required.
Experience supporting business development efforts, including grant and proposal writing (e.g., grant and proposal writing) preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Independently execute project work by managing own time, communicating with project directors about deadlines, and completing tasks with quality.
Prepare timelines, coordinate staff on task assignments, and contribute to jointly developed task products to ensure they are completed on time, on budget, and with quality.
Manage day-to-day project work and operations in task-lead and project director roles.
Conceptualize problems and identify field-relevant research and evaluation questions in human and community development topic areas as well as collaborate in designing studies to address them.
Use content knowledge in conjunction with an understanding of research design principles to design and implement relevant and responsive projects for the field.
Contribute to research proposals for Federal, state, foundation, and other clients.
Lead or serve as a key contributor to the collection and analyses of data.
Use creative and rigorous quantitative strategies from propensity score matched designs to randomized controlled trials or machine learning address novel challenges.
Design, develop, and maintain analytic dashboards that support real-time monitoring, descriptive analysis, and the communication of findings to internal and external stakeholders.
Lead field-based data collection activities.
Build data use agreements and oversee data management and analyses of surveys and/or administrative data to facilitate the appropriate rigorous analysis to address client-funded questions.
Write brief, blogs, and reports which leverage charts, graphs, dashboards, and broad data visualization strategies that describe and interpret findings of analyses for clients.
Clearly communicate with clients orally to interpret findings and represent AIR in a professional manner.
Contribute to positive client and stakeholder relationships in ways that are respectful and demonstrate knowledge of the field and policy landscape.
Contribute substantively, thoughtfully, and creatively to project teams.
Demonstrate respect, competency, and sensitivity in all interactions with colleagues, project participants, and community members.