Research Associate, Schaefer Center, grant-funded

Job Posting:

JR101874 Research Associate, Schaefer Center, grant-funded (Open)

Department:

UBalt Schaefer Center Operations, PM

Position Type:

Regular

Open Date:

05-20-2026

Close Date:

$70,000 - $85,000

Job Description:

The Schaefer Center is an applied research and consulting organization within the College of Public Affairs that conducts externally funded research and training for government and nonprofit clients located primarily in Maryland.

The primary role of this position is to conduct quantitative data collection and analysis to complete research projects on the behalf of the Center's clients. In this role, the incumbent is responsible for implementing research designs, designing data collection instruments, collecting original data and secondary data, analyzing data, and report writing with a focus on projects related to survey research and evaluation.

For assigned projects, the incumbent coordinates the work of faculty researchers, other staff, and graduate assistants to execute research plans and complete projects on time. The incumbent is also responsible for leading the development of final reports and drafting progress reports and other deliverables for review by the Executive Director or Assistant Director for Research's review. The incumbent plays a major role in maintaining client relations, serving as the primary point of contact for clients for assigned projects.

This role will initially be fully on campus, with up to two days of telework possible with supervisory approval.

This is a soft-funded regular position with benefits.

Responsibilities:

* Serves as a primary or lead researcher on assigned, grant funded evaluation or policy research projects. Designs and executes data collection and analysis plans. Coordinates the work of research team members including faculty researchers, Schaefer Center staff, and graduate fellows.

* Determines sources of information, their reliability, and the method of study. Edits raw data for accuracy, completeness and consistency, and detects and traces data discrepancies.

* Prepares Institutional Review Board applications for UBalt IRB as well as external IRBs.

* Prepares responses to IRB questions and maintains and provides required documentation.

* Leads the collection of original data through surveys, focus groups, and in-person interviews. Designs and implements complex web-based surveys in support of research and training initiatives.

* Collects original qualitative data through the design, collection, and analysis of qualitative data collection methods including focus groups and in-person interviewing.

Prepares both narrative and statistical reports of a complicated nature to inform the decision making of public sector executives and managers.

* Serves as principal investigator and project manager for assigned projects. Manages client relationships and serves as the primary point of contact for clients on assigned projects.

* For assigned projects, drafts progress reports, work plans, and final reports. Documents and resolves discrepancies in deliverables. Monitors timelines and status of deliverables; schedules project tasks and makes recommendations to the director about project priorities and the need for modifications to the scope of work or time for sponsored research projects.

* Identifies potential research opportunities, participates in the development of proposed research designs, and assists in preparation of proposals. Participates in meetings with potential clients. Assists in the development of new client relationships.

* Promotes the visibility of the Schaefer Center and UBalt through support of high visibility external events, maintains an active research agenda that includes presenting at academic conferences and publishing in academic journals.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Education:

Master's degree in public administration, public policy, social science, or related discipline.

* Experience:

Three years of related experience in performing quantitative analysis for social science research. Requires advanced proficiency in quantitative research methods, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SPSS or similar statistical software.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Education:

Ph.D. or DPA degree is highly preferred.

* Experience:

Prefer significant prior policy analysis, program evaluation, or public sector research experience.

Required Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

* Proficiency in program evaluation and policy analysis.

* Experience designing and executing research plans using strong quantitative methods by performing a full range of research and research management tasks of multiple projects.

* Knowledge of statistics or research methods, and proficiency in statistical interpretation and data analysis using statistical software (e.g., SPSS); experience designing and managing surveys using web platforms such as Qualtrics, experience with qualitative analysis software such as NVivo.

* Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database management software applications (e.g., Microsoft…