Announcement

Details

Open Date
05/27/2026

Requisition Number
PRN45110B

Job Title
Research Associate

Working Title
Senior Research Associate - Qualitative

Career Progression Track
A00

Track Level

FLSA Code
Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No

Standard Hours per Week
40

Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time

Shift
Day

Work Schedule Summary

Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Travel, evenings, and weekends may occasionally be required.

VP Area
Academic Affairs

Department
00162 - Educational Leadership&Policy

Location
Campus

City
Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment
External Posting

Pay Rate Range
$90,000-$120,000

Close Date
07/23/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
07/01/2026

Job Summary

Lab OverviewThe Prison Education Action Research Lab (PEARL) at the University of Utah advances educational justice for people and communities impacted by incarceration. Funded by an award from Ascendium Education Group, PEARL leverages evidence-based research to change systems and reduce barriers to postsecondary education for people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. PEARL's anchor project, the Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI), is a first-of-its-kind multi-institutional longitudinal study spanning 21+ partner colleges and universities nationwide.

Position SummaryPEARL is seeking a Senior Research Associate (SRA) with deep expertise in and professional experience with multi-site, multi-methods qualitative research. The SRA will lead data integration, synthesizing qualitative findings with quantitative data in collaboration with the broader research team across PEARL's research portfolio. This position will work in close partnership with PEARL's Senior Quantitative Research Associate to design and produce research that is both interpretively rich and analytically robust. Alongside Center leadership, the SRA will mentor emerging researchers and help the Lab translate findings into scholarship, research briefs, technical reports, and presentations. The SRA will work under the supervision of the Lab Director.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals directly impacted by incarceration and punishment systems.

Compensation and Terms

This is a grant-funded position within PEARL. The position is full-time and benefitted. Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Travel, evenings, and weekends may occasionally be required. The Senior Research Associate may work remotely or on-site at the University of Utah with some travel required.

Responsibilities

• Provide intellectual and applied expertise across multi-PI research projects;
• Design and lead qualitative data collection, including interviews, case studies, site visits, and document analysis across multiple institutional sites;
• Develop and refine data collection instruments, protocols, and field guides appropriate to diverse institutional contexts;
• Maintain and manage qualitative data systems, including codebooks, analytical memos, and documentation of analytical decisions;
• Coordinate secure data transfers and compliance across states and data providers;
• Serve as senior liaison with stakeholders, including colleges, universities, state agencies, and community partners;
• Lead regular cross-site meetings to align stakeholders;
• Oversee IRB protocols, data transfer agreements, and compliance monitoring across multiple institutions and jurisdictions;
• Develop and present research results in the form of peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, briefs, and presentations for both academic and practitioner audiences;
• Mentor, train, and supervise research staff and graduate assistants in qualitative methods and writing;
• Other research-related activities as assigned by the Lab Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in education or a related social science field, or comparable professional experience demonstrating equivalent expertise;
• 5+ years of post-graduate experience leading qualitative research, including research design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting;
• Advanced proficiency with qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA, or equivalent); and working knowledge of Excel;
• A strong collaborative publication record, including peer-reviewed first-author work;
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-site and multi-stakeholder research projects, including those with multiple types of data;
• Advanced experience with design and integration of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Commitment to educational equity and justice, particularly for communities impacted by the criminal legal system;
• Excellent project management skills, including coordinating logistics, maintaining timelines, and communicating across diverse teams;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for both academic and public audiences.

Preferences

• Familiarity with institutional, state, and federal postsecondary education data systems;
• Ability to relocate to Salt Lake City, UT.

Type
Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter (no more than two pages) that specifically addresses: interest in the position, disciplinary and methodological training, years of professional experience (post-terminal degree), at least one example of multi-site research leadership, at least one example of applied qualitative methods, and names of qualitative software with which you have proficiency;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Writing samples: One scholarly paper and one technical report (or equivalent) where you are the lead author or a major contributor;
• Names and contact information for three professional references who can speak to your research leadership, qualitative expertise, and collaboration skills.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.