ENLACES Research Director

Compensation

Annual Salary: $79,930.00 - $

The ENLACES Project is a federally funded Full‑Service Community School (FSCS) implementation grant. The ENLACES Research Director is a key leadership role reporting directly to the Dean, Sanford College of Education. The role leads research efforts across functional areas related to research, grants/RFPs, policy, and supports the development and evaluation of services provided to children, families, and teachers within the community schools initiative.

• Develop and execute a research agenda centered on efficacy, outcomes, and child/family growth in Full‑Service Community Schools implementation.
• Partner with National University faculty and staff to create structures for staff and graduate/undergraduate students to participate in research activities.
• Research and evaluate programs utilizing quantitative and mixed‑methods designs; produce research briefs, white papers, and tools to enhance user experience.
• Collaborate with researchers, graduate students, and post‑docs at NU Cause Research Institute, Sanford College of Education, JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, and School of Health Professions to co‑develop a robust research agenda.
• Engage in research‑practice partnerships with partner districts and strategic partners to better understand implementation of ENLACES solutions.
• Manage research projects with a team (graduate students and RAs) ensuring projects remain on track and within budget.
• Train, coach, and support graduate and undergraduate students in research projects.
• Collect, assemble, and maintain datasets related to services provided; analyze data to generate evidence that informs policy and practice.
• Write research reports, briefing memos, summaries of journal articles, books, blogs, and news articles; present results in clear tables and graphical formats.
• Contribute to grant writing to support continuation of funding for community school initiatives.
• Support content development of RFPs and review products to ensure evidence‑based practices.
• Attend conferences and seminars as needed.

• Doctoral degree in education, psychology, research methodology, or related field with minimum three years of related experience.
• Five years’ experience leading research projects (project director or task lead).
• Experience with project management and continuous improvement (preferred).
• Experience with data collection or evaluation in community‑ and school‑based settings (preferred).
• Experience with mixed‑methods research (preferred).
• Experience building and maintaining partner relationships (preferred).
• Experience with grant writing (preferred).
• Experience designing analyses with practice implications (preferred).
• Schedule flexibility for late afternoon, evening, and weekend events.

Remote, USA. Travel to San Diego approximately 20%, or 4‑5 days per month.

National University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state, and local laws.