Research Associate, Employment & Economic Opportunity Program

American Institutes for Research•Chicago, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

AIR’s Employment & Economic Opportunity Program is seeking a Research Associate to improve pathways from education-to-economic opportunity for all, by applying operational, research, and coordination support to mixed‑methods research and evaluation studies. Topics of inquiry range from workforce development, systems and institutions supporting youth and adult learners, career pathways, and employment programs, across federally, state and foundation‑funded projects. 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. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of experience or Master’s Degree in Social Sciences (Public Policy, Sociology, Economics, Education, Psychology, etc.).
Familiarity with higher education and/or workforce development systems, policies, or programs (e.g., postsecondary access and success, career and technical education, adult education, workforce training, employment programs).
Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, including survey design, administrative data collection, interviews, observations, and focus groups.
Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis software programs including STATA, R, NVIVO, or similar software.
Demonstrated content knowledge in workforce development, public benefits, career and technical education, or related topics.
Prior work on federal or foundation‑funded research or evaluation projects in education or workforce policy.
Experience conducting site visits or stakeholder engagement with education or workforce organizations.
Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection and report writing.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent organization and time management skills.
Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize research findings clearly for diverse audiences.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software).
Research and analysis skills using AI enabled tools, including applying responsible use principles for tool deployment and assessment of AI generated outputs for accuracy and relevance.

Responsibilities

Assist project teams in compiling and synthesizing information (e.g., conducting literature reviews and policy scans).
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.
Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings.
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.