Research Associate

William James College • Newton, MA

9d

About The Position

The Research Associate / Human Protections Administrator is a dual-function position within William James College’s Office of Program Development, Monitoring & Evaluation. The role supports the College’s research, evaluation, and human-subjects protection infrastructure, providing advanced research and program-evaluation support across institutional programs and externally funded initiatives. Responsibilities span research design, data collection and analysis, research systems, grant development, reporting, stakeholder consultation, and human-subjects protection administration.

The position administers the College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), supports compliance with federal human-subjects regulations, manages IRB processes and systems, and consults with faculty, students, and program leaders on developing and reviewing human-subjects research. The role integrates methodological, regulatory, technical, and operational expertise; works across organizational units in a matrix environment; and requires independent judgment, adaptability, continuous learning, and effective collaboration as priorities evolve.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in applied social science research, program evaluation, public health, education research, data science, implementation science, research methodology, or a closely related field, with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience; or a doctoral degree in one of these or a closely related field, with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Professional experience with human-subjects research, research ethics, and research compliance, including working knowledge of the Common Rule (45 CFR Part 46).
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing applied research and program evaluation using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
• Ability to translate complex program, stakeholder, or funder questions into appropriate research designs, measures, data-collection strategies, and analytic approaches.
• Strong quantitative data-management and analysis skills, including proficiency with R, Excel, and/or comparable analytical tools.
• Experience conducting qualitative research and analysis, including systematic coding or analysis using NVivo or comparable software.
• Experience developing and administering research data-collection processes using Qualtrics, including troubleshooting complex survey or system-related issues.
• Experience using REDCap for research, evaluation, or structured data collection and management.
• Experience managing sensitive research data across the project lifecycle, including data quality, documentation, de-identification, analysis preparation, and appropriate data handling.
• Ability to collaborate with program leaders and cross-functional stakeholders, steward complex projects, exercise independent judgment, and maintain progress across multiple contributors and changing priorities.
• Strong written, verbal, consultative, and instructional communication skills, including the ability to communicate methodological, analytical, regulatory, and technical information to audiences with varying expertise.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and integrate research, regulatory, technical, program, and operational perspectives.
• Commitment to continuous learning and adaptability as projects, systems, subject areas, funding opportunities, and institutional needs evolve.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and able to perform the position’s essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience administering or providing operational support to an Institutional Review Board.
• Experience administering research-related technology or institutional systems, particularly Qualtrics, REDCap, or an electronic IRB platform.
• Experience contributing to research grant development and writing for foundations, government agencies, or other external funders.
• Experience with research-practice partnerships or applied research/evaluation in behavioral health, education, public health, human services, forensic or juvenile-justice settings, substance-use initiatives, or related areas.
• Experience mentoring or guiding students, colleagues, or program staff in research methods, evaluation, data analysis, or research compliance.
• Cultural Intelligence (CQ) training, cross-cultural experience, or comparable preparation supporting culturally responsive research and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and support applied research and program evaluation using quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and other appropriate approaches, translating program, stakeholder, and funder needs into feasible plans.
• Manage, analyze, interpret, and communicate quantitative and qualitative data; develop reports, visualizations, and other products for program leaders, institutional stakeholders, funders, and external audiences.
• Provide research design, evaluation, data systems, research ethics, and human-subjects protection expertise and consultation for grant development, externally funded initiatives, program planning, research-practice partnerships, and College-wide activities.
• Develop and support research data-collection processes and systems, including Qualtrics and REDCap.
• Serve as institutional Qualtrics Brand Administrator and contribute to research-system workflows and infrastructure.
• Steward research and evaluation projects with program leaders, faculty, staff, students, consultants, and external collaborators; provide methodological guidance and maintain project continuity.
• Administer IRB operations, including protocol screening, reviewer coordination, workflow management, revisions and amendments, researcher consultation, compliance monitoring, documentation, and IRB systems management.
• Interpret and apply federal human-subjects regulations, including 45 CFR Part 46, and support requirements related to the Federalwide Assurance, CITI training, conflict-of-interest processes, policy development, and research compliance.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position’s responsibilities and objectives and the College’s mission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior