Senior Researcher, Employment and Economic Opportunity

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee daily project operations in roles such as principal investigator, project director, or task lead.

• Lead collaborative teams by creating timelines, coordinating staff roles, and ensuring deliverables are met on schedule, within budget, and to a high standard.

• Identify research challenges and design studies to answer key questions in applied research settings.

• Utilize subject-matter expertise to craft and execute relevant, responsive, and impactful research initiatives.

• Develop study frameworks aligned with research questions, methodologies, and analytical strategies.

• Lead and assist in research proposals for federal, state, foundations, and other clients.

• Create and implement innovative solutions to practical challenges in applied research.

• Direct data collection and analysis efforts.

• Oversee the development and planning of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection instruments, such as interview protocols, focus group guides, and surveys.

• Supervise field-based data collection activities, including interviews, observations, focus groups, and document reviews.

• Conduct or manage data analyses utilizing appropriate tools and techniques for various data types.

• Clearly and effectively communicate study progress and findings.

• Prepare reports, briefs, visualizations, and other materials that interpret and present research results for clients and stakeholders.

• Represent the organization professionally in all interactions with clients.

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, partners, and stakeholders.

• Cultivate and sustain positive, collaborative working relationships.

• Manage client and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and an understanding of the broader policy and practice context.

• Contribute thoughtfully and creatively to project teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Policy, or related discipline) with 3+ years of pertinent experience or a Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant experience.

• Strong understanding of implementation science.

• Ability to transform large ideas into actionable work plans and timelines.

• Experience in contract research and/or evaluation organizations.

• Proficient in data collection methodologies (including but not limited to structured interviews, observations, and survey research) and analysis activities (including but not limited to experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analytic software packages [such as STATA, R, EXCEL, NViVO, and Access]).

• Experience in managing project and/or task teams on research and evaluation initiatives.

• Proven ability to build and maintain client and partner relationships.

• Experience with business development (e.g., grant and proposal writing).

🏝️ Benefits

• AIR’s Total Rewards Program designed to competitively reward staff.

• Encouragement for staff to achieve our critical mission.