SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Grade 10 – RESEARCH & EVALUATION – POSITION #: SRA022410
Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.
Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most
urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training,
educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and
international initiatives.
________________EDC is Committed to Diversity in the Workplace________________
The Science and Math Programs unit has an opening for a Senior Research Associate, reporting to a Senior Research
Scientist in Newton, Massachusetts.
This is a leadership position within the research and evaluation team, and the individual selected will contribute to a
variety of projects ranging from multi-year studies in large, urban school districts to smaller evaluation projects of
science education programs. Current work, for example, includes an NSF-funded study comparing the quality and
quantity of science instruction provided by elementary science specialists to that provided by classroom teachers;
and a study examining the impact on science instruction of a concept-driven versus content-driven model of
professional development. The senior research associate will be expected to take a leadership role in all phases of
the research and evaluation process including study design, instrument development, data collection and analysis,
and writing and presentation of findings. Quantitative skills are essential, as is experience conducting education
research in the field. In addition, this position will include providing methodological support to other research and
evaluation projects as needed, as well as leadership and support to junior researchers as appropriate. Comfort with
qualitative methods is highly desired. This will be a 60% position at the least, with the possibility of 100% coverage
– the specifics to be determined.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to
develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and
funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.
The Senior Research Associate
• Further augments the organization’s intellectual capital, while developing name recognition as a leader in the field
• Initiates and executes projects of moderate scope & diversity; may be responsible for particular phase of a large
complex project
• Exercises leadership in qualitative &/or quantitative research methods for design and instrumentation
• Oversees data collection & validation processes, ensuring quality & reliability
• Reviews documentation
• Synthesizes concepts and recommendations
• Writes/edits & plans complex materials
• Develops high-visibility presentations
• Contributes to conferences and publications
• Identifies original bodies of work
• Investigates solutions to potential problems, which may result in products, programs, services or inventions
• Participates in proposal & funding planning
• Conceptualizes or writes major sections of proposals
• May act as Principal Investigator
• Conducts qualitative & quantitative data analyses as needed
• Writes research and evaluation reports for a variety of audiences
The Senior Research Associate
• Expands contacts and strengthens client relations; develops business and professional relationships by
communicating technical information to professional or civic communities, government agencies, “stakeholders” or
institutions
• Advises, consults and collaborates with senior management and project staff on new concepts associated with expanding existing products &/or programs
• Guides feedback exchanges; provides expertise to others
• Oversees administrative and logistical coordination
• Troubleshoots complex problems and develops solutions
• May suggest Center policies & procedures to ensure quality & compliance
• Provides administrative supervision or direction to junior staff
• May advise on complex training or design projects; may design or conduct conferences or workshops
• May initiate or coordinate cross-unit or interdepartmental research efforts and activities
• Must be able and willing to travel locally and nationally
• Must have the ability to work under pressure, multitask and accommodate shifting deadlines
• Must be able to collaborate with members of a research team and other colleagues, work across projects and with others who possess a variety of skills and expertise
QUALIFICATIONS - This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience
• PhD or equivalent preferred
• With Master’s degree, 7–10 years related experience, including 1–3 years prior project management or program development experience, plus solid experience with computer applications (including databases), psychometric or statistical measurement techniques, and Internet research
• With PhD, 2–4 years related experience (as above)
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Experience working in public school and/or school district settings, with a strong appreciation for the opportunities, constraints, and demands of conducting research and evaluation work in those settings
• Command of quantitative analysis methods including multiple and logistic regression, and multi-level modeling
• Knowledge of and familiarity with database software such as SPSS, Excel, and Access
• Qualitative analysis skills and familiarity with qualitative software such as Atlas.ti
• Sound knowledge of measurement and instrument development methodology
• Significant experience with large and complex databases
CONTACT: No phone calls, please
To Apply please go to:
http://www.candidatemanager.net/cm/Micro/JobDetails.aspx?&mid=YEVYF&sid=UEVD&jid=FYAZWGTU&site=Education
Posted: 2/24/10
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EDC is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) and a smoke-free workplace
