Research Associate, Learning Supports
American Institutes for Research
Summary
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.
Job description
Responsibilities
- 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.
Requirements
- 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 using data analysis software programs (Stata, R, NVivo, Dedoose)
- Interest in the role of AI in education
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- 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 ability to collaborate in a virtual work environment
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with project stakeholders and external partners
- Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis
Company overview
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a leading nonprofit, nonpartisan behavioral and social science research organization founded in 1946. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AIR operates as one of the world's largest social science research institutions with over 1,800 staff members across multiple U.S. locations and international offices. The organization specializes in conducting rigorous research, evaluation, and technical assistance across three primary domains: education, health, and workforce development. AIR's mission centers on generating and utilizing evidence-based approaches to address complex social challenges and promote equity. The institute maintains strict independence and objectivity in its work, collaborating with government agencies, educational institutions, and international development organizations. Notable initiatives include Project Talent, a landmark longitudinal study tracking 400,000 high school students, and various federal projects supporting education policy implementation and workforce development. AIR's expertise spans early childhood education, K-12 systems, higher education, healthcare delivery, mental health services, and international development programs, consistently applying scientific rigor to inform policy and practice improvements.