Mixed-Methods Research Associate, Employment & Economic Opportunity

AIR’s Employment & Economic Opportunity Program is seeking a Research Associate to improve pathways from education-to-economic opportunity for all, by applying operational, research, and coordination support to mixed‑methods research and evaluation studies. Topics of inquiry range from workforce development, systems and institutions supporting youth and adult learners, career pathways, and employment programs, across federally, state and foundation‑funded projects.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.  

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Conduct literature reviews and contribute to evidence syntheses. This includes searching for and identifying relevant literature, reviewing and extracting relevant insights, and drafting summary documents.
• Coordinate or manage research study tasks, with assumption of greater responsibility over time, including developing and tracking project timelines, activities, and deliverables; supporting budget management; and preparing submissions for Institutional Review Board (IRB) and data governance review.
• Conduct quantitative and/or qualitative data collection under the guidance of senior researchers, including accessing extant data and assessing its utility for project needs; assisting with the development of data collection protocols and surveys; supporting participant recruitment; conducting interviews and note-taking; supporting survey administration; and/or supporting data analytics activities.
• Clean, code, and analyze data from interviews, observations, surveys, and administrative data using the appropriate research methods and software (e.g., STATA, R, NVIVO, or similar software).
• Draft and contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, memos, and presentations that describe and interpret findings of analyses clearly for policymakers, practitioners, funders, research and non‑technical audiences.
• Support project management tasks, including tracking timelines, coordinating data‑collection activities, and contributing to internal quality‑assurance processes.
• Support new business and proposal development efforts by engaging in tasks such as researching funding opportunities, collecting and organizing required information, and writing proposal sections.
• Support and help maintain relationships with partners, including other researchers and practitioners.
• Clearly communicate knowledge of the project purpose and objectives to clients and external partners when necessary and represent AIR in a professional manner.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and 2+ years of experience or Master’s Degree in Social Sciences (Public Policy, Sociology, Economics, Education, Psychology, etc.).
• Familiarity with higher education and/or workforce development systems, policies, or programs (e.g., postsecondary access and success, career and technical education, adult education, workforce training, employment programs).
• Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, including survey design, administrative data collection, interviews, observations, and focus groups.
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis software programs including STATA, R, NVIVO, or similar software.
• Demonstrated content knowledge in workforce development, public benefits, career and technical education, or related topics.
• Prior work on federal or foundation‑funded research or evaluation projects in education or workforce policy preferred, but not required.
• Experience conducting site visits or stakeholder engagement with education or workforce organizations preferred.

Skills

• Ability to work as a member of a team and independently.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize research findings clearly for a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software).
• Research and analysis skills using AI enabled tools, including applying responsible use principles for tool deployment and assessment of AI generated outputs for accuracy and relevance, preferred, but not required.

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.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example [email protected] is correct and [email protected] is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out [email protected]. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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