Research Associate, STEM Education

Overview:

Join AIR as a Research Associate in K-12 STEM education with AIR's Educators and Instruction (E&I) team of researchers and practitioners as we work to achieve solutions to complex policy and practice problems. The Educators & Instruction program area focuses on research, evaluation, and technical assistance to improve teaching and learning in K-12 education. Our team of researchers and consultants supports a portfolio of projects that generate and use evidence to address challenges and advance innovation and equity in K-12 education. Our work is funded by public agencies, philanthropic entities, and education-related organizations and companies.

The Research Associate position will support a growing body of work grounded in improving outcomes and opportunities for diverse learners in K-12 STEM. The position will contribute to multiple projects with a focus on K-12 STEM teaching and learning; intervention research and development; program implementation and evaluation; research partnerships and field initiatives; and/or evidence use and dissemination. We seek a dynamic professional committed to using research and evidence to help improve equity and outcomes in K-12 STEM education and who will thrive in a fast-paced environment, working as part of a team with ambitious aspirations and evolving needs.

Our E&I team is driven by our mission to make the world a better, more equitable place through education.

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. 

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.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Contribute to team-based research and evaluation projects focused on K-12 STEM education and related areas. Serve as a source of expertise and insights in aspects of K-12 STEM education in the U.S.
• Assist in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection such as development of interview protocol and surveys; conducting interviews and notetaking; and supporting survey administrations.
• Clean, code, and analyze data from surveys, interviews, observations, and extant data using the appropriate scientific approaches and software (e.g., NVivo, STATA, R).
• Recruit and manage relationships with research participants and sites.
• Coordinate activities for projects and proposals, including developing and tracking project timelines; supporting budget management; and collecting and reviewing documents.
• Prepare and create documents, portions of reports, briefs, charts, visualizations, and graphs that describe project activities and present research findings.
• Clearly and accurately communicate knowledge of project purpose, progress, and results to clients, staff, research participants and study sites.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience OR Master’s degree within social sciences (education, public policy, psychology, sociology, economics, etc.); STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics); or related fields.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning issues and/or federal or state/local policies, programs, and priorities in K-12 STEM education, knowledge of K-12 Computer Science preferred but not required.
• Experience contributing to research and evaluation studies and dissemination products such as reports, memos, and manuscripts.
• Experience supporting research project management and/or proposal coordination.
• Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data analyses using STATA, R, NVIVO, or similar software.
• Experience working in or with schools, agencies, or organizations serving diverse communities.

Skills:

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and balance multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to write for technical and non-technical audiences.

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 salary of $32.00/hr. 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.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

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