[Hiring] Research Associate, Teaching and Learning @WestEd Career

Role Description

The person in this position will work across research, development, and evaluation projects, most of which include special education students, designs based on learner variability, universal design for learning (UDL); multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS); science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); artificial intelligence, educational and assistive technology, and other related special education research domains (i.e., literacy, data science, STEM, CS). This person will assist the SEPP research team with writing research proposals, including strategy, literature reviews, research design and analysis plans as well as supporting article and report writing. This person will coordinate the logistics of research, development, and evaluation projects including site recruitment, relationship building, managing research requirements and data collection. Additionally, this person will provide internal production support, coordinating budgeting, quality assurance processes, and submission. This position will report directly to the Director of Learner Variability and work directly with the SEPP research staff. The position can be home office based or based in one of our offices (Washington, DC, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sacramento, or Seal Beach).

Responsibilities

• Design Research – facilitate design research including persona development, prototype development, technology development, user and usability testing, cognitive interviews, field tests, and summative evaluations.
• Experimental and Evaluation Research – team management and coordination, project management, site recruitment and management, protocol and survey development, data collection processes, data management, and client reporting.
• Project Coordination – coordinate, schedule, and manage field research activities such as IRB processes, MOUs, interviews, focus groups, and survey administration.
• Report and Proposal Production – contribute to and/or lead the conceptualization and writing of small-to-large project reports and proposals; prepare descriptive reports, analytic sections, and evaluation reports and proposals; assist in the preparation and submission of large and small proposals.
• Data Collection – develop or refine data collection instruments such as questionnaires, focus group recruitment scripts, focus group moderator guides, and classroom observation protocols; participate in or lead various data collection efforts (e.g., focus group, site visits, interviews, etc.).
• Quantitative Data Management/Analysis – build, maintain, merge and manage large datasets (e.g., Common Core of Data school directory files, client implementation databases, etc.) using R or another statistical software package; effectively summarize descriptive data, and lead or contribute to conducting statistical analyses using advanced statistical methods (e.g., factor analysis, multiple regression, hierarchical linear modeling).
• Qualitative Data Management/Analysis – develop coding schemes for qualitative data such as interview, observation, and text comments, have experience using qualitative analyses software (e.g., ATLAS.ti), and have knowledge and experience conducting various qualitative data analyses methods (e.g., content analyses, thematic analyses).
• Facilitation/Presentation – facilitate meetings, and presentation of research findings. Interface with clients and lay persons related to data collection, analyses and reports. Communicate effectively with a range of internal and external audiences including colleagues, clients, researchers, practitioners, and lay persons.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years direct work experience OR a master’s degree in special education research, design research, quantitative social science research, or related field.
• Strong knowledge and experience of design research including curriculum/PD/technological prototype development, iterative user testing, setting development priorities.
• Strong knowledge of research and evaluation methodology, measurement, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Programming experience in at least one major statistical package (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata).
• Experience preparing research and literature reviews, coordinating and designing research, development, and evaluation projects, and writing reports of project findings.
• Experience working with clients on program improvement efforts (to develop and modify program designs) and providing feedback based on evaluation findings and evidence from prior research and practice.
• Ability to balance multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with peers and supervisors. Capability to be adaptive to pressing requests and work with Project Directors to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies such as survey platforms and web management systems.
• Expertise in substantive areas relevant to special educational research, evaluation, and policy analysis; such as AI, Edtech, UDL, MTSS, PBIS, STEM, literacy, significant disabilities, or educational technology.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work in a team setting.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports and presentations.
• Ability to work across multiple projects and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to provide and accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to manage occasional overnight travel as part of project work.

Requirements

• *Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

• The full salary range for this position, WestEd level (9), is $80,000 to $125,000, but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $80,000 to $100,000. The actual offer considers multiple factors, including but not limited to education, experience, internal equity, and other organizational needs.
• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option.
• All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date.
• PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays.
• Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k.
• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives.
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program.