Research Assistant II

  • Full-time

Company Description

ABOUT EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

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’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in EDC’s commitment to respect the dignity of each individual. EDC promotes 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, building capacity and transforming lives.

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits.

ABOUT CCT

Based in New York City, the Center for Children and Technology (CCT) is one of EDC’s research and development centers. Founded in 1980 at Bank Street School of Education, CCT investigates how technology can enhance equitable access to teaching and learning across a wide range of educational settings. CCT conducts basic, applied, causal, and formative research, working in collaboration with educational, corporate, government, and research institutions, as well as communities. CCT also designs and develops prototype software and instructional resources that support engaged, active learning for underserved communities. CCT offers a dynamic and highly collaborative work environment that seeks to answer challenging practical as well as theoretical questions about teaching and learning, and is centered on teachers, students, families, and communities, and the tools that can help create successful learning environments.

EDC is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All whose education or experience qualifies them for this position are encouraged to apply. CCT strives to listen to, include, honor, and respect new and diverse approaches to our work.

Job Description

We are seeking a full-time Research Assistant II to work on one or more projects that address the role that technology can play in supporting teaching and learning, with a focus on equity and access to high quality educational experiences for every child.  The Research Assistant II will assist with quantitative and qualitative data collection, data entry, data cleaning, database preparation, and data analysis in SPSS, and support the implementation of research studies. The work will include collecting and analyzing survey data, direct child assessments, and qualitative data, but other data types may be included. The role also also includes providing general support for participant recruitment and study implementation across multiple sites. In addition, we are looking for a team member who will support instrument development, tracking of participant engagement in study activity, and other research tasks that create a positive experience for study participants, which include formal and informal educators, parents and young children.

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 provides support to quantitative and qualitative  investigation efforts, including:

• collecting data

• cleaning data

• preparing databases for analysis

• conducting basic statistical analyses

• drafting, revising summaries of analyses

• documenting & cataloguing analyses

• maintaining systematic and detailed records of data, syntax, output and all other associated files

• working with project team members to perform basic statistical tests and provide frequencies

• contributing to the writing up of results from analyses for audiences with a range of backgrounds in research

• organizing and maintaining clear and consistent records for study activities including recruitment and participant data

• supporting Internal Review Board submissions and records

The Research Assistant II:

• Facilitates project teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback

• Coordinates and assists with specific administrative tasks

• Assists with quality assurance

• Provides logistical support

• Collaborates on troubleshooting complex problems, proposing initiatives, and recommending or negotiating solutions

• Will be required to travel

Qualifications

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

• Bilingual Spanish/English speaker

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & education in a related field preferred

• 1-3 years related research, education or administrative coordination, requiring experience with computer applications (including databases) and Internet research

• knowledge of SPSS, Excel and data analysis techniques encouraged

Additional Information

To be considered, applications must include a cover letter detailing why you're well-suited to the position.