Senior Researcher

Job description

**Full-time | Hybrid — 2 days/week in our Washington, DC office | Reports to the Managing Director of the Institute for the Future of Work** **Help shape the national conversation on education and economic opportunity** Every year, millions of Americans make high-stakes decisions about how to invest in their education and training, and policymakers commit billions of public dollars to higher education. Both do so too often without the evidence needed to know what works and achieve their goals. Strada's Institute for the Future of Work exists to solve that problem. We conduct rigorous, field-leading research that gives policymakers, institutional leaders, employers, workers, and students the actionable insights they need to strengthen the pathways connecting education to stable, well-paying, meaningful work. We are looking for a Senior Researcher who loves the craft of quantitative research from beginning to end, is committed to producing the highest quality work possible, and is motivated by the potential to influence real decisions about how postsecondary education and training systems work for the people who depend on them. ### What You'll Do **Conduct Research (50%)** You'll take ownership of the day-to-day execution of original research projects, from framing research questions to delivering final results. That means: - Interpret the objectives and research questions of assigned projects. - Investigate and develop a comprehensive knowledge of relevant research literature and policy context, synthesizing information and insights to inform research, writing, and presentations. - Make methodologically sound, defensible decisions about data cleaning, defining key terms conceptually and operationalizing them as variables, specifying an appropriate sample and unit of analysis, adjudicating between and selecting analytic approaches based on relevant literature, and sharing results in an accessible format. - Clean, code, organize, merge, and otherwise prepare and manage complex longitudinal data sets for analysis using Stata or R (Stata is preferred). - Perform data quality assurance checks and identify potential problems with data, as well as the causes of the problems. - Write carefully commented and well-organized syntax. - Design and refine methodologies to meet project objectives and answer project research questions. - Conduct advanced statistical analyses. - Thoroughly document methodological and operational decisions of data preparation and analysis. - Prepare data codebooks. - Collaborate with internal and external partners to execute research. - Guide the work of supporting research staff and contractors, assign tasks, set timelines, ascertain the quality and completeness of work products, and deliver timely and constructive feedback. **Communicate Research (30%)** Great research only matters if people understand it. You will: - Collaborate in writing research manuscripts, reports, briefs, literature reviews, and summaries. - Prepare slide decks, data tables, figures, infographics, and other communications to convey research findings for internal and external audiences. - Review and contribute to products created by internal partners, ensuring accurate content and assisting with effective communication. - Deliver presentations to internal and external audiences. - Represent Strada at external events, such as panels, conferences, symposia, and other convenings. - Prepare for and contribute to Institute meetings and meetings with internal and external partners. **Develop New Research Directions (10%)** You also will help set the agenda: - Identify and develop research topics and questions of value to the field and consistent within the Institute's mission, focusing on strategies to improve individuals’ educational and labor market outcomes. - Build relationships and develop partnerships that advance the Institute’s research priorities. - Collaborate in writing grant proposals to secure external funding to expand the Institute’s capacity. **Strengthen Our Culture (10%)** - Model inclusion and respect in working with colleagues in a transparent and collaborative way. - Support an inclusive workplace culture through engaging in the diversity, equity, and inclusion learning agenda within the organization. ### What Success Looks Like in Your First Year - You are running at least two active Institute projects, with methodological decisions that hold up to internal review and require minimal rework - Your analyses are reproducible — anyone on the team could pick up your documentation and replicate your work - You have co-authored at least two completed external products and contributed to multiple internal deliverables - You have delivered at least two presentations of Institute research - You have proposed at least one new research direction that the Institute has taken up and cultivated at least one external partnership to advance the Institute’s goals - Your colleagues know you as collaborative, dependable, and a clear communicator ### What You Bring **Required:** - A PhD (in hand by start date) in public policy, economics, sociology, demography, higher education, or a related field - Extensive experience with (1) advanced quantitative research methods, including multiple quasi-experimental designs; (2) preparing complex longitudinal datasets for analysis, including cleaning, coding, organizing, merging, and managing data; and (3) analyzing data and displaying results in tabular and graphical form. - A minimum of five years of aggregated hands-on research experience with (1) writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed scholarly journals; (2) translating complex research findings into reports, briefs, and/or presentations for scholarly audiences and policymakers; and (3) leading research projects. - In-depth knowledge of one or more areas of research related to higher education, workforce development, and/or labor market outcomes. - Demonstrated ability to (1) synthesize and communicate complex research findings, (2) work on multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail; (3) work independently and meet deadlines; and (4) work well with others, including both receiving direction and providing direction. - Exceptionally strong writing skills and verbal communication skills, including editing skills and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely for audiences. **Nice to have:** - Experience with administrative course-, student-, or institution-level education data, and individual-level employment/earnings data - Experience working directly with federal datasets like IPEDS, ACS, or CPS - Survey design experience - Experience developing interview or observational protocols - Qualitative data analysis experience (e.g., NVivo) - A track record of writing successfully funded research grant proposals **Also important:** - Comfort and alignment with [Strada's Values](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CKDoAszF18pBou6NP3zt4jRyeaz3_Ki8/view) ### Why Strada Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the connections between education and employment — with a particular focus on people who've faced the greatest barriers to economic opportunity through postsecondary education and training. Our strategic plan centers on five priorities: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable postsecondary education and training, work-based learning, and employer alignment. We partner with education and training providers, employers, policymakers, and peer organizations, and we bring philanthropy, research, advocacy, and communications together to advance equitable pathways to opportunity. We invest in our people the same way — with real learning and professional development opportunities, inside the organization and out. ### Benefits - Medical, dental, and vision insurance - Generous PTO and paid holidays - 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions - Paid parental leave - Wellness reimbursement - Professional development resources