Senior Research Associate - University at Albany

Location: Albany, NY Category: Professional Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Fri Mar 14 2025 Job Description:

To help support our research and evaluation efforts, the New York State Youth Justice Institute (YJI) is seeking to hire a Senior Research Associate. The incumbent will work on a myriad of impactful, funded projects with a focus on evaluation and participatory research.

The YJI's work focuses on providing training, technical assistance, research, and evaluation support to youth justice-related state agencies, local partners, and others who provide direct services to youth under 25. Our approach to justice encompasses the continuum of care (from prevention to reentry), is rooted in racial/ethnicity, gender, ability, and geographic equity, and honors youth voices. Our team's expertise draws on trained social scientists and data scientists from diverse academic backgrounds;

practitioners with experience in multiple fields and systems that impact youth; and professionals with lived expertise in the justice system.

Established in 2017, the YJI is a partnership between the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and the University sed on the University's downtown campus, the YJI is institutionally situated within the Division for Research and Economic Development, is led by an Executive Director, and has grown exponentially in recent years. Learn more about us.

• The Senior Research Associate will help lead, execute, and support myriad qualitative and quantitative research projects and tasks that are included in the Institute's work plan. These range from evaluations of specific programs and pilots to the design of research projects, assessment of data quality, compilation of literature reviews, etc.
• The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the YJI's Communications and Training and Technical Assistance teams to ensure the dissemination and visualization of findings in an actionable manner.
• The incumbent is expected to engage in cross‑institutional networking at the systems and community levels to expand YJI's network of research partners and opportunities. They may be asked to attend and/or present at conferences and other training events.
• This full‑time position is based in Albany, NY, at the YJI.

• Has a drive for results:
  Makes things happen; is proactive; balances "analysis" with "doing"; sets high standards for self; commits to organizational goals.
• Is entrepreneurial, leverages opportunities in unusual contexts, and copes well with ambiguity.
• Is comfortable working in a dynamic team setting:
  • Collaborates with others; acknowledges others' contributions; works effectively with individuals of different backgrounds; willing to seek help as needed.
  • Influences and resolves differences across organizational boundaries: gains support and commitment from others even without formal authority; resolves differences by determining needs and forging solutions that benefit all parties; generates enthusiasm; promotes collaboration and facilitates teamwork across organizational boundaries.
• Has strong interpersonal skills and can work effectively with diverse external partners.
• Has demonstrated project management and organizational skills, especially with time‑sensitive work, and can work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Is proficient in composing reports and presentations and communicating in an organized, logical, and concise manner.
• Has mixed methods expertise, from interview and focus group guide development to survey design, measurement selection, and operationalizing constructs.
• Understands clients' and colleagues' needs and concerns; responds promptly and effectively; customizes research assistance and products as appropriate.
• Displays analytical thinking and decisive judgment:
  • Analyzes issues and problems systematically, gathering broad and balanced input; draws sound conclusions and translates conclusions into timely decisions and actions.
• Is committed to learning and knowledge sharing:
  • Open to new ideas; shares knowledge; applies knowledge in daily work; builds partnerships for cross‑discipline learning and knowledge…