Senior Research Assistant

  • Full-time

Company Description

The Center for Applied Linguistics is a nonprofit organization promoting access, equity and mutual understanding for linguistically and culturally diverse people around the world.

The mission of the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is to promote language learning and cultural understanding by serving as a trusted source for research, resources, and policy analysis. Through its work, CAL seeks solutions to issues involving language and culture as they relate to access and equity in education and society around the globe.

Job Description

**Applicants must submit a Résumé and Cover Letter to be considered for this position.**

The Center for Applied Linguistics is located in Washington DC. This is a hybrid position, and the employee may choose to work in their preferred combination of in person at the office in a hoteling capacity, or remotely. Candidates for this position are preferred to reside within the DC Metro area (DC/Maryland/Virginia) or be willing to relocate to the DC Metro area prior to starting the role.

Position duration: This position is contingent based on grant funding renewed on an annual basis with an end date of August 30, 2026. Continued employment past the end of the grant is contingent on securing additional funding.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Research Assistant will support outreach activities for federally funded multilingual projects in research, professional development, and family engagement. This staff position will support project key staff with multilingual learner related research and professional development events and activities. 

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct and provide support for multilingual learner project research, professional development activities, and outreach activities.
  • Review, analyze and synthesize recent literature on multilingual learner research, policy and practice and draft presentations and briefs on related topics for various audiences. Create and manage digital and print multilingual learner outreach materials.
  • Gather, analyze, and summarize data for project management and reporting purposes.
  • Ability to conduct focus groups and prepare reports based on the findings.
  • Assume a lead role for proactive and creative project related social media activities, publications, & blogs.
  • Collect recent scholarly contributions of key project staff to post on project websites.
  • Create a video-clip collection based on interviews with key project stakeholders.
  • Support and facilitate major meetings and events and manage website updates.
  • Support pre and post project webinar activities.
  • Attend scheduled project meetings.
  • Assist with maintaining and updating project outreach and leadership activities.
  • Coordinate related activities between project and CAL staff.
  • Assume the lead role in the production of infographics and related multimedia materials.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • MA/MS in linguistics, bilingual education, world languages, TESOL or related field and 2+ years of experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience with project planning and reporting, professional development and with creating digital outreach materials such as research summaries and multimedia materials for multilingual learner education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Must have strong editing and writing skills.
  • Experience with planning and managing conferences, meetings, or other event management activities.
  • Expertise with Microsoft Office software, MS Teams, WordPress, Moodle, and multimedia software.
  • Ability to maintain and update websites and create robust social media strategies.
  • Ability to create written and multi-media materials for a national audience, ideally in English and Spanish.
  • Motivated, flexible and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively.
  • Ability to bring an analytical as well as a creative approach to project activities.
  • Strong oral and interpersonal communication skills are essential; English and Spanish ability is preferred.
  • Experience with PreK–12 education and/or multilingual student education is preferred.
  • Knowledge of best practices in reaching out to multilingual families.

Additional Information

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

COMPENSATION

Minimum Salary: $56,763 Annually

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to effectively communicate. The employee may be required to sit or stand in a stationary position for 50% of the time. This position constantly operates a computer and other office productivity equipment. CAL adheres to ADA compliance and guidelines as a common practice.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CAL complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

CAL expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of CAL employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.