Senior Researcher, Youth Development

American Institutes for Research•Sacramento, CA

2d•$126,000 - $154,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AIR is seeking a Senior Researcher to join the Human and Community Development program to contribute to research and evaluation projects focused on youth development and youth economic mobility. The Senior Researcher will lead and execute mixed-method research and evaluation projects end to end—designing studies, managing teams and budgets, overseeing data collection and analysis, developing proposals, and communicating actionable findings to the field while serving as a trusted partner to clients and collaborators. The ideal candidate will bring methodological and subject matter expertise that will advance efforts to infuse youth development into settings such as out-of-school time and summer learning, youth sports, informal learning, and work-based learning. The Senior Researcher will join AIR’s Human and Community Development Program, which generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration in justice, child and youth development, family well-being, and community health to facilitate safe, healthy, informed, and thriving communities and improve the systems that serve them. 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. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s 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. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Requirements

PhD in related subject area (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy, or related field) with 3+ years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated expertise in youth development, particularly in out‑of‑school‑time (OST) contexts such as summer learning, expanded learning, youth sports, informal learning environments, or youth workforce development programs.
Experience conducting research or evaluation in contract research settings, including familiarity with client‑funded timelines, deliverables, and compliance requirements.
Proven ability to serve as a Project Director (PD) or equivalent role, including managing budgets, timelines, staff, and client relationships.
Strong grounding in implementation science and its application to youth‑focused programs and systems.
Experience with data collection methodologies (including but not limited to structured interviews, observations, survey research) and analysis activities (including but not limited to experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analytic software packages [such as STATA, R, EXCEL, NViVO, and Access]).
Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships and collaborating with youth‑serving organizations, community‑based partners, or education agencies.
Experience with business pursuit (e.g., grant and proposal writing).
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex findings into concise, actionable insights for clients and practitioners.
Strong client‑facing skills, with the ability to build trust, manage expectations, and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and foster collaborative, inclusive project environments.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to translate broad ideas into structured work plans and timelines.
High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in writing, analysis, and documentation.
Ability to work effectively in virtual, hybrid, or distributed teams.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position.
Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day project operations in roles such as principal investigator, project director, or task lead.
Lead collaborative project teams by developing timelines, coordinating staff assignments, and ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
Identify research problems and design studies to address key questions in applied research contexts.
Apply subject-matter expertise to design and implement relevant, responsive, and impactful research projects.
Develop study designs with aligned research questions, methodologies, and analytic plans.
Lead and contribute to research proposals for federal, state, foundation, and other clients.
Devise and implement innovative solutions to practical challenges in applied research.
Lead data collection and analysis efforts.
Oversee the design and planning of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection tools, such as interview protocols, focus group guides, and surveys.
Supervise field-based data collection activities, including interviews, observations, focus groups, and document reviews.
Conduct or oversee data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques for various data types.
Communicate study progress and findings clearly and effectively.
Prepare reports, briefs, visualizations, and other materials that interpret and present research findings for clients and stakeholders.
Represent the organization professionally in all client interactions.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Foster and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships.
Manage client and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and awareness of the broader policy and practice landscape.
Contribute thoughtfully and creatively to project teams.