Research Associate, Education Systems & Policy

American Institutes for Research•Sacramento, CA

3d•$33 - $40•Remote

About The Position

Join AIR as a Research Associate and use your research, evaluation, and collaboration skills to help advance our mission of generating evidence and applying data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. In this role, you will contribute to research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects by collecting and analyzing data, synthesizing findings, developing reports and deliverables, supporting business development efforts, and helping project teams manage timelines and priorities. This position will support a portfolio of evaluation and research projects focused on strengthening outcomes for students, families, and communities through meaningful engagement, community partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration. Much of this work examines how programs and initiatives are implemented, the conditions that support their success, and how evaluation findings can be used to drive continuous improvement. The Research Associate will have the opportunity to work closely with practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders, contributing to projects that inform decision-making and help create more effective and equitable systems of support. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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

Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree in the social sciences or related fields.
Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data collection.
Experience using qualitative or quantitative data analysis software programs, including, but not limited to, STATA, R, NVivo, or similar software.
Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection and report writing.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Flexibility/adaptability, including an ability to work in dynamic environments and think strategically.
Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data collection.
Experience using qualitative or quantitative data analysis software programs, including, but not limited to, STATA, R, NVivo, or similar software.
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.
Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

Responsibilities

Prepare and assist with primary source data collection through interviews, focus groups, and surveys; organize materials; and contribute to content development.
Participate in the collection and review of research and evaluation data.
Assist in the compilation of quantitative datasets and the development of data sharing agreements.
Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings.
Assist project teams in compiling and synthesizing information (e.g., conducting literature reviews and policy scans).
Prepare documents, portions of reports, briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret findings of analyses.
Support proposal writing and business development activities.
Support project management tasks, including developing project timelines, coordinating meetings, and tracking project progress.