Quantitative Research Assistant

About the role

The Opportunity WestEd’s Center for Teaching and Learning is seeking a Research Assistant II to work with a team of researchers, developers, and technical assistance providers on projects focused on improving teaching and learning for students from early childhood to postsecondary education. Projects typically focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum, professional development programs or policy initiatives and involve tasks such as recruitment, instrumentation, data collection, analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Project Management and Coordination – coordinate and schedule research activities such as interviews, focus groups, and survey administrations; cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external teams; assist with participant recruitment and incentive management.
• Data Collection – maintain data collection and implementation measurement systems to monitor program quality; participate in various data collection efforts (e.g., focus group, surveys, interviews, etc.); conduct user needs assessments and use data-driven frameworks to guide continuous product iteration.
• Quantitative Data Management/Analysis – build, maintain, clean, and manage large datasets (e.g., Common Core of Data school directory files, client implementation databases, etc.) using Stata, R or another statistical software package; effectively summarize descriptive data for client products, dissemination, and annual reports.
• Report and Proposal Production – contribute to the and writing of small-to-large project reports and proposals; assist in the preparation and submission of large and small proposals.
• Facilitation/Presentation – present project work to internal project teams; interface with research participants related to data collection, analyses and reports; communicate effectively with internal colleagues about project needs, including IRB, the Data Protection Office, and Accounting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., quantitative methods, cognitive science, statistics, mathematics, data science) or degree in education or social science with knowledge about quantitative methods.
• Prior coursework or direct work experience related to research and evaluation methodology, measurement, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Fluency with major statistical package (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata).
• Ability to balance multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and quantitative methodologies.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks on various projects.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot) and sound judgment about when and how to use them across research and technical tasks, including fact-checking, bias awareness, and source verification of written outputs, as well as catching hallucinated or incorrect code.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field or degree in education/social science with knowledge about quantitative methods.
• Experience or strong interest in working in school or district settings.
• A curious, collaborative disposition.

Skills

• Experience with quantitative methods.
• Evidence of and a strong commitment to producing high-quality project deliverables and publications.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent organizational skills & demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and quantitative methodologies.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work in a team setting.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks on various projects.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot) and sound judgment about when and how to use them across research and technical tasks, including fact-checking, bias awareness, and source verification of written outputs, as well as catching hallucinated or incorrect code.

Benefits

• 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.
• Paid time off: 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.
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program.

Pay

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level (8), is $71,200 to $111,300 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $71,200 to $89,000. The actual offer considers multiple factors, including but not limited to education, experience, internal equity, and other organizational needs.

Schedule

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.