POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Senior Research Associate
The Educational Policy Institute (www.educationalpolicy.org ), a growing nonprofit research and
evaluation firm dedicated to the study of issues related to the expansion of quality educational
opportunities, seeks a Senior Research Associate. Over the course of the organization¹s history, we have
conducted policy analysis, research, and evaluation on issues of postsecondary student retention and
success, student financial aid, literacy, and early childhood education, as well as numerous other topics
related to educational opportunity. Our clients have included the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Library
of Congress, National Council on Disability, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the
Texas Education Agency, and numerous local agencies, school districts and community based
organizations.
The Senior Research Associate will work as part of EPI¹s research team and will engage in all aspects of
research and evaluation, provide oversight to various projects, and collaborate with other staff.
Activities will include collecting, organizing, and analyzing data; preparing reports; developing research
and evaluation proposals; managing projects; and securing new business funding.
Responsibilities
Business Development
· Develops new business opportunities by networking with current and potential clients and
attending selected conferences, preparing proposals and contributing in other ways to the development
process
Project Management
· Participates and/or leads multiple research teams in the execution of high-quality, multi-level,
multi-method research and evaluations in education settings
· Develops policy analysis, research and evaluation plans
· Coordinates, schedules, and manages research activities, including, but not limited to, interviews,
focus groups, and survey administration
· Maintains timelines for multiple projects
Data Collection
· Identifies or designs appropriate instrumentation (e.g., surveys, interview protocols, observation
protocols, knowledge assessments) for responding to research and evaluation questions
· Collects quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate techniques to ensure reliability and
validity
· Organizes and conducts site visits involving multiple data collection methods
Data Organization
· Formats databases to ensure the availability of useable data
· Oversees support staff in data entry using formatted databases
Data Analysis
· Conduct statistical analyses ranging from descriptive analysis to multivariate analyses (ANCOVA,
GLM, etc.)
· Analyzes qualitative data with general guidelines from project managers
· Summarize results in written format suitable for consumption by various stakeholder groups
Qualifications
· Experience in successful business development and proposal writing
· Experience leading, conducting and managing educational research and evaluation projects that
require multiple qualitative and quantitative research designs and methodologies
· Experience working in the education sector and a demonstrated familiarity with the policy issues
and challenges of public PK-12 education and/or public, private, and proprietary postsecondary
education
· PhD or EdD in social sciences, education, research and evaluation, or statistical measurement
· Expertise in quantitative analysis required; ability to conduct qualitative analyses desirable
· Knowledge of data organization and analysis software for storing, analyzing, and reporting
qualitative and quantitative data
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and coordinate with colleagues at
varying organizational levels
· Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral communication skills
· Publications in academic or professional journals or other professional writing
· Strong project management skills and consultative skills
· Willingness and ability to work flexible hours necessary to complete tasks
· Ability to travel as needed
The Educational Policy Institute is located in Arlington, VA, and the successful candidate will be expected
to work in that location.
This position carries a competitive salary and benefits package. Applications will be evaluated as they
arrive until the position has been filled. The position will be housed at EPI’s new office near Ballston
Common in Arlington, Virginia.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and sample research publication (e.g.,
report, journal article) to:
Ms. Patricia Moore Shaffer
Vice President, Research & Development
Educational Policy Institute
pshaffer@educationalpolicy.org
