Research Assistant, Education Systems
Research Assistant, Education Systems (Waltham, MA) – Telework Eligible
Overview
Join AIR as a Research Assistant with AIR’s Education Systems team and be involved in our longstanding legacy of providing rigorous, impartial evidence-based research and resources on pressing and perennial education issues. Our Education Systems team studies and supports organizations and infrastructure at the local, state, and national levels focusing on the people who operate PK-12 education systems to improve the organization of schooling and advance the organizations within those systems.
Our Education Systems team is driven by our mission to make the world a better, more equitable place through education.
This position will be expected to attend events at AIR's Waltham, Massachusetts office when requested. These events typically occur twice a quarter. Additionally, candidates should be prepared to travel to various sites across Massachusetts to conduct observations. This travel is expected to occur twice a week, depending on need.
The preferred candidate would be based in Massachusetts and may work remotely or from AIR’s office in Waltham.
About AIR:
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.
AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities for the position include:
- Travel to local K-12 schools across Massachusetts to conduct classroom observations, interviews, and focus groups
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings
- Support communication with school and district leaders
- Develop spreadsheets and data bases to support project activities
- Provide new business and proposal development support by engaging in such tasks as researching funding opportunities, conducting literature reviews, writing proposal sections, etc.
- Assist staff in the review, identification and development of scholarly information describing research findings
Qualifications
Education, Knowledge, and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in social science related fields
- Experience with and/or knowledge of data collection and analysis methodologies and techniques, such as survey design, and conducting structured interviews, observations, and focus groups
- Experience with or inclination to learn and use software programs such as NVivo, R, SPSS, or Stata to analyze data
Skills:
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing
- Effective communicator in a virtual work environment
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software)
- Comfortable working independently and as a member of a team with individuals from diverse backgrounds and at all levels
Disclosures:
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.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.
AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated hourly rate of $25.50. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.
AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.