Qualitative Researcher

Department Summary The Department of Education at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies (Ed&IS) is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, with a steadfast commitment to advancing educational equity and social justice. We are committed to advancing educational research, practice, and policy to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion in education. By preparing future educators, researchers, and leaders and conducting cutting‑edge research, we strive to create positive change and address the complex challenges facing education locally, nationally, and globally for the betterment of society. Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS‑RC) is an interdisciplinary project to study harms on social media and other digital platforms that brings together researchers from the School of Education and Information Studies and the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social media safety through educational programming. The study aims to examine harms and risks on social media and their impact on wellbeing and to develop strategies to counter these harms targeting youth on social media platforms. Position Summary This position is a dynamic opportunity for individuals to contribute to a rapidly growing field of research related to the use and impact of digital media, especially social media and AI, on young people's social, emotional and cognitive development. The Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS‑RC) is seeking a researcher with a deep understanding of this growing field, advanced qualitative methodological skills, and experience in writing academic articles as well as research summaries for a lay audience. The candidate will play a key role in Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS‑RC) research activities, leading the analysis component of the project in collaboration with SMS‑RC project director, Ed&IS faculty leads, and our non‑profit partner, Organization for Social Media Safety. Dr. Christine Ong will serve as the direct supervisor. Additional assignments will be delegated to the candidate based on the needs of the project. The candidate should have experience in advanced qualitative methods, research design and implementation. A background in quantitative methods and program evaluation is desirable. The candidate should be able to work collaboratively with our team to write academic articles, research briefs, and plan for community convenings (e.g., sharing results with schools, parents, etc.). They should be familiar with literature associated with social media harms, digital literacy, and prevention and interventions that promote safe use of digital tools and digital citizenship. The Research Analyst will serve as the primary contact for issues related to data generated through the Social Media Safety Research Collaborative (SMS‑RC) project under the general direction of the project director. Major responsibilities include managing and analyzing data, designing new analyses and studies, and disseminating results through academic publications and accessible reports. Salary & Compensation *UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits. Qualifications Knowledge of existing research related to the use and impact of digital media, especially social media and AI, on young people's social, emotional and cognitive development. (Required) Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and successfully implement research projects (Required) Experience in conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research. Collecting and analyzing qualitative data independently and using standard qualitative computer packages (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, etc.) (Required) Background and experience in writing or contributing to the writing of academic articles, research and policy reports, briefs, infographics, proposals and/or other related documents. Excellent skills in oral and written English communication including skill in academic writing. Knowledge of APA. (Required) Demonstrated ability to prepare high level presentations for broad audiences such as education administrators, teen advisors and policymakers. Ability to explain methods and results to those without advanced statistical training. (Required) Ability and willingness to accept delegated work, provide regular updates, problem-solve, and follow-up to completion and/or report status of delegated tasks. (Required) Ability and willingness to work as an effective, collegial, contributing member of the project team and as may be necessary, work independently to successfully accomplish assigned tasks. Ability to work with competing deadlines, manage multiple assignments, meet fixed deadlines, and follow tasks. Ability to work with competing deadlines, manage multiple assignments, meet fixed deadlines, and follow tasks through to completion. (Required) Knowledge of and experience in using quantitative methods for data analysis. (Preferred) Knowledge and relevant experience in child and adolescent development, K‑12 school environment, policy debates surrounding young people and digital media (e.g., school policies to restrict cell phone use during school day). (Preferred) Demonstrated ability to extract data using computer programs and set up databases for statistical analysis of national education databases (e.g., CCD, CRDC, NAEP, etc.), and experience overseeing others collecting data. (Preferred) Experience writing grant proposals for extramural funding. (Preferred) Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations Bachelor's Degree degree in education, social sciences, public policy, statistics, law, economics or allied fields or equivalent experience / training. (Required) Special Conditions for Employment Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation. Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment. Schedule hours will be worked within the hours of 8am - 5pm Union/Policy Covered RP-Research and Public Service PR Complete Position Description #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)