Research Assistant I

  • Full-time

Company Description

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 promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Job Description

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation Portfolio (HPPI) in the United States Division has an opening for a Research Assistant I, reporting to the Principal Health Research Scientist in Waltham, MA.

The Research Assistant I will be working primarily on two projects that focus on the prevention, treatment, and recovery from substance use disorders. The first project, the Center for Strategic Prevention Support (CSPS), is a technical assistance center funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to support coalitions across the state implementing evidence-based strategies designed to prevent substance use disorders and their consequences. The newly hired research assistant will support CSPS efforts to assess the patterns of incidence, severity, risk factors, and burden of prescription drug misuse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The second project, HRSA’s Behavioral Health Workforce Development Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center supports academic institutions and training organizations who prepare health professionals and paraprofessionals to implement evidence-based substance use disorder interventions and services. The research assistant will be working closely with an evaluation manager to track the nature, reach, quality, utility, and impact of technical services that the Center provides.

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 oversight, the Research Assistant I will provide support to qualitative and quantitative investigation efforts, including:

  • Assist in carrying out process and outcome evaluations on EDC projects
  • Help identify and acquire administrative/archival data from multiple agencies/sources
  • Conduct interviews and focus groups to collect qualitative data
  • Build and administer online questionnaires
  • Assist in developing and implementing data transfer and analysis protocols
  • Assist with data entry as required
  • Participate with health research and evaluation teams in conducting data analysis
  • Identify problem areas for investigation, reporting, and consultation purposes
  • Maintain complete and accurate documentation of all data collection, data entry, and data analysis activities
  • Maintain security of project data
  • Liaise with project partners/vendors as directed
  • Assist in the production of data and other project reports, including epidemiological profiles
  • Assist with new business development efforts
  • Develop data dashboards for internal and external audiences
  • Disseminate information on project activities using appropriate social media platforms
  • Facilitate project teamwork; and seek and utilize feedback
  • Perform administrative tasks such as managing data records, corresponding with research/evaluation participants, and scheduling data collection activities
  • May be expected 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:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public health, psychology or related field with 2-3 years of post-degree experience in substance use, behavioral health, or other human service arena, preferred
  • 2–4 years related research, education or administrative coordination, requiring experience with computer applications (including databases) and Internet research
  • Experience in cleaning and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
  • Ability to conduct basic statistical analyses and willingness to learn more complex analytic techniques
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Capable of completing very detail-oriented tasks
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Familiar with the preparation of data presentations for different audiences including academic manuscripts, briefs, and legislative testimony
  • Experience in conducting literature reviews, drafting comprehensive analytical reports, and grant progress reports
  • Experience working with large administrative data sets
  • Experience in working with statistical programs (e.g., STATA, SPSS, etc.) as well as qualitative data software (e.g., Dedoose, Atlas.ti)
  • Interest and willingness to learn new skills and programs (e.g., PowerBI)
  • Experience with professional presentations to internal groups
  • Experience working independently on qualitative and quantitative data analysis and reporting

Additional Information

Applications should be submitted directly via our website (www.edc.org/careers-edc). Applicants should submit both a thoughtful cover letter and a resume.

As an EOE/AA employer, EDC does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and veteran or disability status. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.