Researcher, Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Rice University•Houston, TX

3h•$80,000 - $83,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research (KIUR) at Rice University, is seeking a full-time Researcher to advance its mission of improving lives in Houston by bringing data and research to decision-makers. Individuals with experience conducting rigorous quantitative education research, particularly in partnership with school districts or other education organizations, are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate has expertise in managing complex administrative datasets and applying advanced statistical methods—such as causal inference and quasi-experimental research designs—to answer policy-relevant questions. The Researcher manages multiple projects simultaneously and works closely with HERC associate directors and Houston-area school district partners through a research-practice partnership (RPP) model. In addition to leading collaborative research projects, the Researcher translates findings for diverse audiences through reports, presentations, data visualizations, and other research products. The position also includes supervising small research teams and supporting external grant development in collaboration with HERC leadership. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute consists of five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers research housing, education, community and public health, economic mobility and inequality, and population dynamics. Each center has a distinct research focus while collaborating across the institute on interdisciplinary, solutions-oriented research. The centers use a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Greater Houston. We strive to have our research inform decision-making and drive systemic change. The ideal candidate is an experienced quantitative social scientist with expertise in managing large administrative educational datasets and advanced statistical modeling, including, but not limited to, descriptive and inferential statistics, causal inference, and quasi-experimental research designs. They excel at translating rigorous analyses into actionable insights for education leaders, possess strong project management skills, thrive in collaborative research-practice partnerships, and are open to working on research topics outside their current area of expertise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Sociology, Education, or a related field, and completion of a university-level course, thesis, or dissertation
4+ years of experience in the following: Managing, cleaning, documenting, and merging complex longitudinal administrative datasets
Applying advanced statistical methods to answer policy-relevant research questions
Quantitative statistical analysis
Programming in R, Stata, or SAS
Proficiency in statistical analysis, data interpretation, and critical thinking to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets
Experience conducting research on topics in education and a deep understanding of the U.S. education system
Ability to translate the research needs of school districts into actionable research studies
Strong understanding of research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, survey design, and experimental techniques
Ability to collect, organize, and manage large datasets efficiently while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate research findings effectively through comprehensive reports, presentations, and other media
Capability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, including planning, coordination, and timely execution, while ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget constraints
Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and external partners to achieve research objectives and foster a collaborative work environment

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in collaborative research with nonprofit organizations or school districts
Understanding of research-practice partnerships in education research
Experience developing and managing research projects, managing data, and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, such as multilevel modeling, causal modeling, quasi-experimental methods, survey design, and interviews
Experience as a Research Assistant as part of Ph.D. training
Ability to conduct and lead quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research
Ability to oversee various research projects while managing and mentoring other research staff
Ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Adaptability and the ability to think creatively to address issues

Responsibilities

Designs, plans, implements, and conducts independent and team-based research studies and specialized research projects
Effectively communicates and translates research findings for a variety of audiences through a portfolio of research products, such as research briefs, papers, presentations, and data dashboards
Communicates and builds relationships with school districts and other community stakeholders, providing expertise in research methodologies and data analysis
Provides strategic insights and recommendations based on research findings to support school district partners’ decision-making processes
Mentors, supervises, and trains researchers by involving them meaningfully in ongoing research
Leads and develops research studies from start to finish, including managing a research team
Supports the development of applications for research grants
Stays updated on emerging trends, methodologies, and best practices in research and data analysis to enhance skills, improve processes, and contribute to organizational growth and innovation
Innovates methodologies and frameworks to optimize data acquisition and analysis processes
Conducts comprehensive gathering, interpretation, and analysis of intricate datasets sourced from diverse channels
Crafts detailed and comprehensive reports summarizing research findings, methodologies, and implications in a clear and concise manner suitable for various audiences, including stakeholders, executives, and decision-makers
Utilizes advanced statistical and analytical tools to extract actionable insights and forecast trends
Develops sophisticated predictive models based on rigorous data analysis
Produces detailed reports, concise summaries, and impactful presentations that communicate research findings effectively
Performs all other duties as assigned