Quantitative Research Associate

West Ed supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. West Ed complies with all applicable federal and state anti‑discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION - Although West Ed provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

West Ed'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 management skills; and a curious, collaborative disposition.

• 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.

• 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…