Quantitative Research Associate - Youth, Family, and Community Development
Overview
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, VA, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners.
AIR’s Youth, Family, and Community Development program area is seeking Quantitative Research Associates to join us as we work to foster equitable pathways for youth, families, and communities to thrive through cross sector collaboration with programs, providers, and systems. Our program area includes projects that address a variety of content areas in community, school, and justice settings:
- Public Health, Schools, and Communities (e.g., community engagement, comprehensive safety in schools and in communities, mental health promotion and school-based mental health services, school discipline, social determinants of health, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care and approaches, and violence prevention),
- Thriving Youth & Justice Systems (e.g., adolescent science, criminal justice and policing, intergenerational supports for families impacted by the justice system, juvenile justice, re-entry and supports, restorative justice, social justice, youth engagement, and youth led movements),
- Whole Child Learning & Development in K-12 Educational Settings (e.g., conditions for learning, mindsets and mindfulness, restorative practices, school climate, science of learning and development, and social and emotional learning and related frameworks), and
- Youth Development & Family Engagement (e.g., arts, community schools, family engagement, nature and environmental education, out-of-school time, sports, youth engagement, and youth leadership development).
The Quantitative Research Associate will work on a range of projects with clients in the nonprofit, government (federal, state, and local), and foundation sectors. Research Associates are members of project teams focused on research and evaluation work to understand, measure, and evaluate program and policy efforts.
This position can be located out of any of the following AIR locations once offices are reopened: Crystal City, VA; Rockville, MD; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; or Chapel Hill, NC.
Responsibilities
Research Associates bring prior knowledge, training, and experience to fulfill specific tasks and collaborate with and support project teams to meet project goals and prepare deliverables. The work varies by project scope and purpose and may include:
- Assisting in the identification, review, and development of scholarly information to inform and/or describe project findings and deliverables.
- Collecting data (e.g., via surveys, administrative systems).
- Cleaning, merging, and maintaining small and large quantitative data sets.
- Conducting analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data.
- Summarizing and communicating findings for various audiences.
- Depending upon project needs, responsibilities may also include:
- Assisting with the development of tools and resources for the field.
- Developing and disseminating communications (e.g., via websites, social media).
- Supporting the planning and implementation of national and/or project meetings and events; and
- Providing managerial support on projects (e.g., preparing materials, notetaking during meetings, budgeting and invoicing).
Qualifications
We seek enthusiastic, creative, and committed critical thinkers to join our program area. Specific qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of experience or Master’s degree within Social Sciences (Public Health, Public Policy, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, etc.)
- Passionate about topics related to youth, family, and community development (see program area description above) a must.
- Prior training and/or experience in research and evaluation (including interest and commitment to expanding your skills in these areas).
- Intern, volunteer, or work experience in organizations that support youth, family, or community development a plus but not required.
- Proficiency with Stata, R, and/or SPSS.
- Experience with basic quantitative data analysis (regression, ANOVA, chi-square, etc.) required. Experience with advanced quantitative data analysis (multilevel modeling, structural equation modeling, etc.) and quasi-experimental methods and analysis a plus.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Comfortable working independently under supervision while committed to details and quality.
- Strong teamwork skills and positive contributor to team efficiency.
- Strong time management, organizational skills, and the ability to multitask.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software).
- Commitment to working in a culturally competent work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of 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 rigorous reference and background checks.