Senior Impact Researcher

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Oversee CDI's research portfolio focusing on impact and efficacy, which includes pre-post evaluations, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized controlled trials in collaboration with university partners.

• Direct all stages of evaluation processes: from research design and measurement development to data collection planning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

• Create, modify, test, and validate assessment tools, such as self-report surveys, behavioral indicators, and innovative measurement methodologies.

• Establish and uphold reproducible analytical workflows and documentation standards that ensure rigorous and auditable research practices.

• Present research outcomes to a variety of external stakeholders, including university collaborators, funders, academic communities, practitioners, and the general public.

• Accurately and clearly represent CDI's research while maintaining the appropriate nuance in alignment with CDI's values and nonpartisan commitments.

• Enhance CDI's external credibility and thought leadership in evaluation, dialogue education, and bridge-building fields.

• Work alongside Growth, Education, and Product teams to translate research findings into program enhancements and materials for partners.

• Collaborate with the Senior Data Scientist to ensure that measurement and data collection processes are effectively integrated into reporting frameworks and stakeholder outputs.

• Partner with the Senior Research Associate on qualitative data collection, coding, and synthesis, as well as on the operational systems that facilitate study execution.

• Foster evaluation fluency within the team by assisting colleagues in developing a common language around measurement concepts, study results, and their implications.

• Engage in cross-functional collaboration with Product, Education, and Growth teams to align evaluation priorities with the organization’s needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience leading applied social science research, including program evaluation or impact studies outside of strictly academic environments.

• Strong proficiency in quantitative research design and advanced statistical techniques (e.g., multilevel modeling, mediation/moderation, longitudinal analysis, experimental and quasi-experimental designs).

• Proven experience in designing and implementing evaluations of interventions or programs, particularly in real-world (non-lab) settings.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, including a demonstrated capacity to write for non-academic audiences.

• Experience in presenting or publishing research findings for practitioners, funders, or public audiences.

• Preferred: Background in mixed-methods research, including qualitative data collection and synthesis.

• Preferred: PhD in psychology, education, or a related quantitative social science discipline.

• Preferred: Familiarity with contexts in higher education, civic learning, or dialogue/bridge-building.

• Preferred: Experience with R programming; proficiency in reproducible research processes.

• Preferred: Understanding of implementation science or improvement science frameworks.

• Preferred: Experience working collaboratively with or advising product or education teams on measurement and evaluation.

🏝️ Benefits

• A Mission-Driven Culture — we embody our values, fostering a work environment characterized by intellectual humility, ongoing improvement, and open-mindedness.

• Remote-First — CDI was established as a remote-first organization, and we strive to cultivate a robust team culture across great distances.

• Unlimited PTO — in addition to 13 company holidays.

• Remote Work Support — reimbursement of up to $500 for home office equipment (including desks, chairs, or webcams) and up to $50/month for home internet or cell phone expenses.

• Other Benefits — employer-supported health, vision, and dental plans, subsidized parental leave, a 3% 401k match, short- and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, and a $1,000 annual budget for professional development.