Research Specialist 3

Georgetown University•Lexington, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Georgetown University is seeking a Research Specialist 3 for the Communication, Culture, & Technology (CCT) Program, specifically within the Civic Education Research Lab (CERL). This role will support grant-related research activities for the James Madison Legacy Project Expansion (JMLPE) and the Integrated Civic Competencies (ICC) projects, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and led by Dr. Diana Owen. The Research Specialist 3 is expected to conduct and disseminate research at a high professional level, producing charts, graphs, tables, and slide decks of results, updating the CERL website, conducting and transcribing interviews, and producing research reports. The position involves collaboration with Dr. Owen and CERL staff on complex research projects, including designing research, conducting studies, disseminating findings, and organizing events. The JMLPE grant focuses on the effectiveness of professional development programs on civics/social studies/American government teachers and the impact of the We the People curriculum on students. The ICC grant assesses the effectiveness of the Project Citizen teacher professional learning program and curriculum. The role requires strong data visualization and graphic design skills, including proficiency in CANVA. Additional duties include managing public-facing communication, disseminating research findings to diverse stakeholders, managing the CERL website, providing support for CERL's Substack, performing tasks related to research design, data collection, cleaning, and statistical analysis using SPSS, supervising student research assistants, and sharing findings at professional meetings and publications.

Requirements

Doctoral or Masters degree in relevant field and 7 plus years of a combination of work experience and education.
Operates with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated strong research, analytical, and writing competencies.
Strong statistical methodology skills, especially experience analyzing large survey research and experimental data.
Proficiency in SPSS and Excel.
Strong data visualization and graphic design skills.
Proficiency in CANVA.
Demonstrated ability to perform independently, communicate scientific results effectively, and participate in a highly collaborative environment.
Must possess a strong work ethic and be self-motivated to learn and become familiar with primary scientific literature.
Knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices, and methods.
Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills are essential.
Attention to detail is necessary.
Direct experience with K-12 education, including teaching experience.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of hands-on experience conducting research on K-12 civic education.
Strong knowledge of American politics and government.
Familiarity with the American educational system.

Responsibilities

Produce charts/graphs/tables and slide decks of results.
Regularly update the CERL website.
Conduct and transcribe recorded student and teacher interviews.
Produce reports based on the research.
Collaborate with Dr. Owen and CERL staff on complex research projects.
Design research, conduct studies, disseminate research results, and organize related events and symposia.
Establish and maintain relationships with state partners in monitoring projects and disseminating research results.
Manage CERL’s public-facing communication and disseminate research findings to diverse stakeholders, including educators, policy-makers, state coordinators, and researchers.
Manage the CERL website.
Provide content and technical support for CERL’s Substack.
Perform tasks related to research design, data collection, data cleaning, and conducting basic and advanced statistical analysis of survey data using SPSS at the highest level of competence.
Produce charts/graphs/tables/slide decks of research protocols and results.
Produce reports based on the research that are disseminated to stakeholders, including educators, academics, and policy-makers.
Supervise and mentor Georgetown University undergraduate and graduate student research assistants.
Share research findings and content knowledge at professional meetings and publications.