The Opportunity

WestEd's Center for Teaching and Learning is seeking a Research Associate to work with a team of researchers, developers, and technical assistance providers on projects focused on improving teaching and learning for students from early childhood to postsecondary education. Projects typically focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum, professional development programs or policy initiatives and involve tasks such as recruitment, instrumentation, data collection, analysis and reporting.

The ideal candidate has prior experience working on complex education projects conducted in authentic educational settings; strong expertise in quantitative methods; evidence of and a strong commitment to producing high-quality project deliverables and publications; prior experience as an educator; strong organizational and project managements skills; and a curious, collaborative disposition.

Responsibilities:

• Project Management and Coordination - coordinate, schedule, and manage field research activities such as interviews, focus groups, and survey administrations; cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external teams; assist with participant recruitment and incentive management.
• Data Collection - establish and maintain data collection and implementation measurement systems to monitor program quality; participate in or lead various data collection efforts (e.g., focus group, surveys, interviews, etc.); conduct user needs assessments and use data-driven frameworks to guide continuous product iteration.
• Quantitative Data Management/Analysis - build, maintain, clean, and manage large datasets (e.g., Common Core of Data school directory files, client implementation databases, etc.) using Stata, R or another statistical software package; effectively summarize descriptive data for client products, dissemination, and annual reports.
• 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; assist in the preparation and submission of large and small proposals.
• Facilitation/Presentation - facilitate meetings and present 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least three years' direct work experience in educational research, quantitative social science research, or related field and/or a master's degree in a related discipline. Prior work required strong knowledge of research and evaluation design and methods, measurement, and quantitative data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of research and evaluation design and methodology, measurement, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience managing data and building and maintaining data processing pipelines.
• Fluency in a major statistical package (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata).
• Experience preparing research and literature reviews, coordinating and designing research and evaluation projects, and writing reports of project findings for multiple audiences.
• 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.
• Ability to translate research findings into practitioner-oriented materials, including brief reports, presentations, and professional development materials.
• Excellent organizational skills &demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and quantitative methodologies.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work in a team setting.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks on various projects.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) and sound judgment about when and how to use them across research and technical tasks, including fact-checking, bias awareness, and source verification of outputs, as well as catching incorrect code.

*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.

SALARY AND 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.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:
• 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

For more details about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/#benefits WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote #Circa-Remote