Research Assistant (ENLACES) - Student Worker

National University • Remote, California, CA

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Research Assistant for ENLACES is a part-time graduate student worker opportunity at National University. Working under the leadership and supervision of the ENLACES Research Director, the role supports research project start-up activities, including establishing operational workflows, creating project timelines, building data collection protocols, drafting IRB applications, coordinating initial partner convenings, and drafting grant proposals. Ongoing work includes mixed-methods data collection, analysis, and reporting.

The Research Assistant helps enact, implement, and document implementation and impact research; generate research deliverables; and support research-practice partnerships across the organization. Deliverables may include literature and policy reviews, peer-reviewed publication drafts, grant proposal drafts, and practitioner-friendly research briefs. The position offers graduate students hands-on research mentorship, project management experience, and scholarly writing opportunities in community-engaged research.

The role also engages internal and external research partners, supports external evaluators, and helps ensure tasks are completed on time. The Research Assistant conducts research to deepen understanding of ENLACES programs and initiatives promoting equity and excellence, and supports the sustainability of university-community partnerships. The position is remote in the USA and requires 10–20 hours per week. Travel may be required, possibly including overnight travel when allowed.

Requirements

• Must be a full-time or part-time graduate student in any school or program at National University.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in education, social science research, or policy.
• Exceptional interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with underserved populations in high-need communities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to independently manage timelines and deliverables.
• Experience in social and emotional development, K–12 education, or culturally responsive practices.
• General understanding of research and evaluation best practices.
• Ability to analyze qualitative data and basic quantitative data.
• Proficiency with computers and standard office equipment.
• Excellent phone and Zoom etiquette.
• High integrity and honesty.
• Ability to handle ambiguity.
• Ability to travel, possibly overnight, when allowed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with qualitative coding software such as NVivo and basic quantitative tools such as SPSS and Excel.
• Knowledge of IRB processes, grant proposal drafting, and research-practice partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Participate in regular ENLACES research team meetings and research-practice partnership convenings as needed.
• Provide project management support by tracking priorities, creating and managing timelines, establishing workflows, and reporting deliverable status.
• Provide administrative support, including task monitoring, appointment scheduling, meeting documentation, and follow-up communication.
• Assist with planning and logistics for major research, community, and policy projects.
• Conduct mixed-methods research, including designing survey and qualitative interview protocols, facilitating interviews and focus groups, analyzing documents, and collecting observational data.
• Coordinate data collection, interpret analytic findings, and share results with internal and external ENLACES partners.
• Manage data through cleaning, entry, validation, database structuring, and secure maintenance of de-identified participant data in accordance with privacy standards.
• Analyze quantitative data, including descriptive and correlational data, and qualitative data using thematic analysis in collaboration with leadership and partners.
• Draft data reports, executive summaries, practitioner-friendly briefs, and manuscript sections for peer-reviewed publications.
• Synthesize and write literature reviews and research briefs on priority topics identified with the ENLACES Research Director and research team partners.
• Prepare presentation materials, posters, and slide decks for academic conferences, policy briefings, and partner meetings.
• Draft IRB applications, protocol modifications, and compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with external evaluators and community partners on collaborative research projects and research-practice partnerships.
• Incorporate equity principles into research, including data disaggregation, assessment of program accessibility, and analysis of outcomes across diverse student demographics.
• Complete special projects and other research-related duties assigned by the ENLACES Research Director.

Benefits

• National University describes a comprehensive well-being benefits package for employees and their families and directs candidates to its benefits information, including part-time benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level