(Contingent) Senior Research Associate

  • Full-time

Company Description

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 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.

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation (HPPI) portfolio includes a range of projects that aim to promote social and emotional wellbeing, promote mental and behavioral health, and to prevent risky behaviors such as substance misuse, violence, and suicide. Our project beneficiaries range from state agencies (e.g., state departments of public health and education), community-based organizations, and school districts. Our funders include federal agencies, state agencies, foundations, community-based organizations, and school districts. Our work includes trainings and professional development opportunities, technical assistance and consultation, and research and evaluation.

The HPPI Portfolio has 3 openings for contingent Senior Research Associate, reporting to programmatic HPPI project director. The position is eligible to work in one of EDC’s offices and is open to U.S.-based telecommuters. Internationally-based telecommuters are not eligible for this position." We expect these positions to have a general focus on substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention, violence prevention, and related behavioral health concerns. Selected candidates could transition between these and other areas as business demands. All positions at EDC are subject to funding availability.

Job Description

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.

The Senior Research Associate:

  • Further augments the organization’s intellectual capital, while developing name recognition as a leader in the field
  • Initiates and executes projects of moderate scope & diversity; may be responsible for particular phase of a large complex project
  • Exercises leadership in qualitative &/or quantitative research methods for design and instrumentation
  • Oversees data collection & validation processes, ensuring quality & reliability
  • Reviews documentation
  • Synthesizes concepts and recommendations
  • Writes/edits plans & complex materials
  • Develops high-visibility presentations
  • Contributes to conferences and publications
  • Identifies original bodies of work
  • Investigates solutions to potential problems, which may result in products, programs, services or inventions
  • Participates in proposal & funding planning
  • Conceptualizes or writes major sections of proposals
  • May act as Principal Investigator
  • Expands contacts and strengthens client relations; develops business and professional relationships by communicating technical information to professional or civic communities, government agencies, “stakeholders” or institutions
  • Advises, consults and collaborates with senior management and project staff on new concepts associated with expanding existing products &/or programs
  • Guides feedback exchanges; provides expertise to others
  • Oversees administrative and logistical coordination
  • Troubleshoots complex problems and develops solutions
  • May suggest project policies & procedures to ensure quality & compliance
  • May provide administrative supervision or direction to junior staff
  • May advise on complex training or design projects; may design or conduct conferences or workshops
  • May initiate or coordinate cross-portfolio or interdepartmental research efforts and activities
  • May 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:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience
  • PhD or equivalent preferred
  • With Master’s degree, 7–10 years related experience, including 1–3 years prior project management or program development experience, plus solid experience with computer applications (including databases), psychometric or statistical measurement techniques, and Internet research
  • With PhD, 2–4 years related experience (as above)
  • Demonstrable leadership skills

Additional Information

What we offer:

  This position is eligible for full-time telework for US-based candidates.

  • A mission-driven work environment
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance and employee assistance program
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Generous vacation benefits
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tuition and transportation reimbursement
  • Retirement plan including robust employer contributions
  • Paid sick time and up to 16 hours of personal time annually
  • Parental leave

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is 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, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Apply Today:

Apply directly via our website (www.edc.org/careers-edc) with both a thoughtful cover letter and resume. The cover letter should be a succinct statement of interest to include highlights of relevant qualifications and experience for the role desired, and should not exceed three pages. The resume should not exceed five pages. Writing samples and/or participation in exercises to demonstrate skills and experience may be part of the interview process. Note: applications without requested items will not be considered.

At EDC, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the increased transmissibility with recent variants, all US-based EDC employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, as a condition of employment. Accommodations due to medical or religious exemptions will be considered.