Research Associate, Teaching and Learning

WestEd • San Francisco, CA

2d • $80,000 - $100,000 • Remote

About The Position

The person in this position will work on a variety of research and evaluation projects, some of which may includespecial education systems and policy, learner characteristics, universal design for learning (UDL); multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS); science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), educational technology, and other related special education research domains. This person will assist the SEPP research team with writing research proposals, including literature reviews, research design and analysis plans, and proposal editing. This person will coordinate research logistics including site recruitment, relationship building, and managing research requirements.Additionally, this person will provide internal production support, which includes coordinating budgeting, managing the quality assurance processes, and completing submission. Post award responsibilities may include project coordination, data collection, data management, and supporting article and report writing. This position will report directly to the Director of Learner Variability and work directly with the SEPP research staff. The position can be home office based or based in one of our offices (Boston, Washington, DC, Atlanta, San Francisco, etc.).

Requirements

• A Master’sdegree with a specialty in educational research or a related discipline such as special education, psychology, sociology, economics, or public policy is strongly preferred plus a minimum of three years direct work experience in educational research, design research, quantitative social science research, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of research and evaluation methodology, measurement, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience executing design research.
• Programming experience in at least one major statistical package (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata).
• Experience preparing research and literature reviews, coordinating and designing research and evaluation projects, and writing reports of project findings.
• Experience working with clients on program improvement efforts (to develop and modify program designs) and providing feedback based on evaluation findings and evidence from prior research and practice.
• Ability to balance multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with peers and supervisors. Capability to be adaptive to pressing requests and work with Project Directors to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies such as survey platforms and web management systems.
• Expertise in one or more substantive areas relevant to special educational research, evaluation, and policy analysis; such as AI, Edtech, UDL, MTSS, PBIS, STEM, literacy, significant disabilities, or educational technology.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work in a team setting.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports and presentations.
• Ability to work across multiple projects and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to manage occasional overnight travel as part of project work.

Responsibilities

• Report and Proposal Production – contribute to and/or lead the conceptualization and writing of small-to-large project reports and proposals; prepare descriptive reports, analytic sections, and evaluation reports and proposals; assist in the preparation and submission of large and small proposals.
• Project Coordination – coordinate, schedule, and manage field research activities such as IRB processes, MOUs, interviews, focus groups, and survey administration.
• Design Research – facilitate design research including persona development, protype development, user and usability testing, cognitive interviews, field tests, and summative evaluations.
• Data Collection – develop or refine data collection instruments such as questionnaires, focus group recruitment scripts, focus group moderator guides, and classroom observation protocols; participate in or lead various data collection efforts (e.g., focus group, site visits, interviews, etc.).
• Quantitative Data Management/Analysis – build, maintain, merge and manage large datasets (e.g., Common Core of Data school directory files, client implementation databases, etc.) using R or another statistical software package; effectively summarize descriptive data, and lead or contribute to conducting statistical analyses using advanced statistical methods (e.g., factor analysis, multiple regression, hierarchical linear modeling).
• Qualitative Data Management/Analysis – develop coding schemes for qualitative data such as interview, observation, and text comments, have experience using qualitative analyses software (e.g., ATLAS.ti), and have knowledge and experience conducting various qualitative data analyses methods (e.g., content analyses, thematic analyses).
• Facilitation/Presentation – facilitate meetings, and presentation of research findings. Interface with clients and lay persons related to data collection, analyses and reports. Communicate effectively with a range of internal and external audiences including colleagues, clients, researchers, practitioners, and lay persons.

Benefits

• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option
• All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date
• PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays
• Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k
• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees