Research Associate, Learning Supports

AIR is seeking a Research Associate with experience in education research and interest in the application of emerging educational technologies. This position will support a growing portfolio of research, including projects focused on understanding the role AI technologies play in educational opportunities, teaching practices, and student outcomes. The ideal candidate will bring excitement for continuing to develop skills in research and evaluation, and communicating about the work in creative ways. The position will contribute to multiple projects, with a particular emphasis on quantitative and qualitative data collection, processing, basic analysis, and interpretation and dissemination of findings. We seek a collaborative and intellectually curious professional who is excited to contribute to rigorous, actionable research that explores emerging opportunities and challenges in education. 

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

About AIR: 

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include: 

• Prepare and assist with primary source data collection including through interviews, focus groups, surveys, usage data from educational technology applications, school administrative records, and publicly available data. 
• Serve as a primary point of contact for schools and teachers, providing ongoing communication and coordination related to study data collection activities.
• Review and process qualitative and quantitative data, including following data procedures to prepare data for analyses. 
• Conduct basic descriptive analyses of quantitative or qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings. 
• Prepare documents, portions of reports, briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret findings of analyses. 
• Support project management tasks, including developing project timelines, coordinating meetings, and tracking project progress. 
• Support recruitment of research participants, including developing promotional materials and conducting outreach to school districts. 
• Interest and experience supporting proposal writing and business development activities. 

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree in the social sciences or related fields. 
• Experience collecting and processing quantitative or qualitative data, preferably in educational contexts. 
• Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative analysis, including using data analysis software programs (i.e., Stata, R, NVivo, Dedoose). 
• Interest in the role of AI in education. 
• Experience with classroom teaching or working with education stakeholders, such as school districts, educators, or program and professional development providers is a plus. 
• Passion for bringing evidence to bear on education policy, practice, and decision-making in education.  

Skills

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection, analysis, and report preparation. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously. 
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with project stakeholders and external partners. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.