EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services and products, which contribute to building capacity and transforming lives.

EDC is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The STEM & Workforce Success portfolios in the US Division has an opening for a Research Assistant (II), reporting to the Research Associate II, in Waltham, MA.

The Research Assistant will work full-time on a project funded through the National Science Foundation’s STEM+C program, entitled Science+C (+Computing) Pathway to college for Massachusetts High School Students (Science+C). In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and a statewide interdisciplinary STEM and computer science (CS) education and industry partnership, the Science+C project team will design three new +C course descriptions (Biology+C, Chemistry+C, and Physics+C); develop course materials that adapt and refine existing +C instructional resources and integrate them into existing course frameworks to form Science+C courses; offer yearlong teacher professional development (PD) to support implementation of the Science+C courses; and study the impact of these courses on student learning outcomes in science. Science+C’s approach, to embed computational thinking (CT) and computing skill development within the core science courses required for graduation, mitigates an uneven distribution in the availability of CS courses in Massachusetts high schools. Furthermore, this effort drives the modernization of science courses to include the use of computationally rich tools and methods to advance understanding, accelerate discovery, and prepare students for future endeavors in these STEM+C fields.

The Research Assistant’s role in this project includes assisting the execution of research activities, development and refinement of course materials, and execution of professional development workshops.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

Under management guidance, the Research Assistant (II) provides support to qualitative &/or quantitative investigation efforts, including:

• research & analysis, using independent judgment in consultation
• recruiting participants
• collecting, entering, and cleaning data
• conducting preliminary analyses
• drafting, revising
• documenting & cataloguing
• maintaining records
• assisting with writing, editing materials
• assisting with developing presentations
• assisting with fieldwork
• assisting with developing, conducting and refining online and face-to-face teacher professional development workshops
• preparing recommendations
• disseminating information
• development and proposal assistance

The Research Assistant (II)

• Facilitates project teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback
• Leads specific administrative tasks
• Assists with quality assurance
• Provides logistical support
• May coordinate sections of projects
• May train junior staff; may provide direction to support staff
• May be expected to travel

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; a collaborative spirit; meticulous attention to detail; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience in education, psychology or learning sciences.
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & education in education, psychology or learning sciences.
• 3–5 years related research, education or administrative coordination, requiring experience with computer applications (including databases) and Internet research
• Education or experience includes basic computer science or computational science and science (biology, chemistry, physics)
• 3-5 years in mixed methods research; experience with classroom observation and interviewing participants, institutional review board documentation, data analysis
• Strong interest in advancing excellence and equity in education

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• Experience teaching youth in a classroom setting
• Experience providing professional learning experiences for educators
• Familiarity with SPSS, excel, powerpoint, video conferencing tools (zoom)

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Candidates must upload a cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in this position.