Research Associate

William James College, Inc. • Newton, MA

10d • $30 - $40

About The Position

The Research Associate / Human Protections Administrator is a dual-function position within the Office of Program Development, Monitoring & Evaluation. It supports the College’s research, evaluation, and human-subjects protection infrastructure. The role provides advanced research and program-evaluation support across institutional programs and externally funded initiatives, including 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. It integrates methodological, regulatory, technical, and operational expertise across research, evaluation, and human-subjects protection responsibilities. The role works across organizational units in a matrix environment and calls for independent judgment, adaptability, continuous learning, and effective collaboration as institutional 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, and at least 7 years of relevant professional experience; or a doctoral degree in one of these or a closely related field and 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 throughout 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 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.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and able to perform the essential functions of the position.

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; translate 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 expertise and consultation in research design, evaluation, data systems, research ethics, and human-subjects protection 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 the institutional Qualtrics Brand Administrator and contribute to research-system workflows and infrastructure.
• Steward research and evaluation projects in partnership 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 responsibilities and objectives of the position and the mission of the College.

What This Job Offers

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