Researcher, Employment and Economic Opportunity

American Institutes for Research

1d • $87,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Researcher will work in AIR’s Employment and Economic Opportunity Program Area, leading components of complex projects and developing research designs and analysis plans. The role contributes to project execution, thought leadership, and business development across policy and programmatic areas. Working with multidisciplinary teams, the Researcher analyzes and interprets data, manages project tasks, mentors junior staff, and supports high-quality client and stakeholder deliverables.

The position involves designing and executing rigorous research and evaluation projects; using qualitative and quantitative methods to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data; and communicating findings through reports, technical memos, and presentations. The Researcher also contributes to proposals, manages small to mid-sized project components, engages stakeholders, and helps foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Candidates may work remotely within the United States or from a U.S. office location; U.S. territories are excluded. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. full time. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available, and project work may require candidates to meet certain residency requirements. The anticipated annual salary range is $87,000–$110,000, with offers based on internal and external equity.

Requirements

• PhD in a related subject area, or a master’s degree with at least 4 years of relevant applied research experience.
• Experience working on research or evaluation projects for federal, state, or local agencies, or other public or nonprofit entities.
• Demonstrated experience with research design, data analysis, and reporting.
• Experience conducting field data collection using methods such as interviews, focus groups, observations, and/or surveys.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in at least one statistical or qualitative analysis tool.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex information and collaborate in a virtual work environment.
• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks and deadlines while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Proven ability to coach junior staff and foster inclusive team dynamics.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Commitment to accuracy in data analysis and report writing.
• Experience using STATA or R.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis; employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to the design and execution of rigorous research and evaluation projects.
• Apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data.
• Translate complex findings into actionable insights and recommendations for client reports, technical memos, and presentations.
• Support proposal development by writing technical sections, developing budgets, and contributing to proposal strategy.
• Manage small to mid-sized tasks or project components, including planning timelines, tracking deliverables, and liaising with clients.
• Maintain positive and collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders, and partners.
• Mentor and guide junior staff through feedback, training, and modeling research best practices.
• Engage stakeholders and partners through meetings, briefings, and dissemination activities.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree