Research Associate Quantitative Analysis

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION. Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Position Overview

The Research Associate Quantitative Analysis contributes to research and evaluation projects with an emphasis on quantitative methods. Core activities include: developing data collection instruments and research designs; cleaning, managing, and analyzing quantitative data using statistical techniques that account for multiple variables (for example, regression-based methods, multilevel modeling, or quasi-experimental designs); writing and presenting sections of reports and research summaries; and writing up and presenting results directly to clients in partnership with project leads. This role requires a moderate level subject-matter expertise as a quantitative methodologist.

The ideal candidate brings subject-matter expertise in research design and quantitative data analysis, including experience with statistical software and applied statistical methods, along with a content-area focus in ELA and math outcomes, academic transitions, and post-secondary outcomes (matriculation, retention, and graduation). Candidates should be comfortable working under low supervision while independently defining methodology and managing day-to-day tasks such as instrument design, data analysis, and data summarization.

Core Focus Areas

Research Design & Quantitative Analysis (85%)

• Independently define and select methodology for assigned research tasks when given an objective and direction, with quality checks from project leads.
• Independently design surveys and other quantitative data collection instruments, with review and quality checks from project leads.
• Apply quantitative research designs, such as correlational and quasi-experimental designs, in consultation with project leads.
• Conduct statistical analyses involving multiple variables, using techniques such as regression, multilevel modeling, and other applied statistical methods.
• Collect, clean, organize, and analyze data using quantitative methods, with qualitative and mixed-method techniques as needed to support project deliverables.
• Write up and present research results, including presentation of statistical results, for internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to project deliverables and help track research tasks, timelines, and data management processes.
• Provide documented feedback and informal mentoring to project team members on specific projects and tasks.
• Have regular client interactions, in partnership with the project lead. Write up and present results directly to clients.

Dissemination & Outreach (10%)

• Contribute to writing articles and preparing presentations of research results for internal and external audiences.
• Support the development of thematic summaries and distilled insights from site visits and other data collection activities.
• Build relationships with practitioners at K-12 institutions, non-profit organizations, and other researchers.
• Contribute to building WestEd's eminence and visibility in a subject-matter area, such as presenting at regional or national conferences, writing a blog, or identifying conference opportunities.

Proposal & Resource Development (5%)

• Contribute to proposal development under supervision, such as writing parts of proposals leveraging prior project work and proposals, and sourcing leads at conferences.
• May work on strategic matters, such as business development, under close supervision.

What We're Looking For

To help us make a positive impact on learners from numerous racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, we're looking for someone with a strong foundation in quantitative research design and statistical analysis who is ready to lead components of research projects and build subject-matter expertise and internal recognition in a specific content area.

Responsibilities

• Design and administer surveys and other quantitative research instruments independently, with quality review from project leads.
• Apply quantitative research designs, including correlational and quasi-experimental approaches, in consultation with project leads.
• Conduct data cleaning, coding, and statistical analyses involving multiple variables using software such as Stata, SPSS, R, and/or NVivo.
• Build and administer surveys and data collection instruments using Qualtrics, and develop data visualizations and dashboards using Tableau.
• Facilitate focus groups and other qualitative data collection activities as needed to support project deliverables.
• Write up and present sections of research reports, including presentation of statistical results.
• Organize and track research tasks, timelines, and supporting documentation.
• Support meeting, webinar, and workshop planning and facilitation for education partners.
• Navigate cross-functionally with internal teams (e.g., Finance, Communications, Instructional Design) to advance project deliverables.
• Provide documented feedback and informal mentoring to project team members on specific projects and tasks.
• Contribute to proposal development under supervision, and support business development activities under close supervision.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, economics, statistics, or a related quantitative social science field, and a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant research experience.
• Strong foundation in quantitative research design and statistical analysis, including experience with methods such as regression analysis, multilevel modeling, or quasi-experimental design.
• Working familiarity with statistical and analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, R, and/or NVivo, as well as Qualtrics for survey administration and Tableau for data visualization.
• Experience with survey design and data collection instrument development.
• A content-area focus in ELA and math outcomes, academic transitions, and/or postsecondary outcomes (matriculation, retention, and graduation) is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work under low supervision while independently defining methodology and managing day-to-day research and analysis tasks.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft sections of research reports and present statistical findings clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team and to have regular interactions with external clients and partners in partnership with the project lead.
• Ability to anticipate problems and generate options for solutions based on precedent.
• A commitment to educational equity for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other historically underserved communities.

Other Skills

• Mastery of WestEd's technology, systems, and procedures.
• Established knowledge of one's own team/Division sufficient to help others access resources and support.
• Comfort with fast-paced, quick-turnaround projects and shifting timelines.
• Presentation of research results to clients and stakeholders.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level (10), is $92,000 to $143,000, but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $92,000 to $115,000. The actual offer considers multiple factors, including but not limited to education, experience, internal equity, and other organizational needs.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:

· 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option

· All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date

· PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k

· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives

· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

For more details about our benefits, go to: WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote #Circa-Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)