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 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 School Improvement Portfolio in EDC’s US division has an opening for a Senior Research Associate, reporting to a Senior/ Research Scientist/Project Director. This position can be based out of one of our offices located in Washington, D.C., Waltham, MA, New York City, NY, and is open to US-based telecommuter candidates. 

The School Improvement portfolio is one of five portfolios of work in the US division, and is focused on understanding, improving and transforming education systems and educational practice through the use of evidence and continuous learning. We do so by conducting research and evaluation and providing technical assistance in K-12 education, higher education, and adult education in both formal and informal settings in partnership with federal and state agencies, schools and school districts, community-based organizations, foundations and other research and non-profit organizations. We anticipate that the Senior Research Associate will support both privately and federally funded projects at EDC, including the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands (REL-NEI) program.

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 a particular phase of a large complex project or research study
• Oversees or carries out advanced statistical analyses of educational data from both administrative and primary sources
• Oversees or carries out data collection & validation processes, ensuring quality & reliability
• Writes/edits research proposals & study reports; develops high-visibility presentations; and contributes to a variety of publications to promote and disseminate research and evaluation findings 
• Participates in and leads business development efforts, including reviewing and following documentation from funding agencies to guide the development of research proposals, writing major sections of proposals in collaboration with colleagues 
• 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
• May act as Principal Investigator 
• May advise on complex training or design projects; may design or conduct conferences or workshops

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience
• PhD preferred
• 7–10 years related experience, including years prior project management or program development experience, plus solid experience with computer applications (including one or more of the following: Mplus, R, SPSS, Stata), psychometric or statistical measurement techniques, and Internet research
• Fluency in oral and written Spanish highly preferred 
• Certification as a reviewer under the What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards, or completion of certification within one year of hire
• Occassional domestic travel

Please include a cover letter with your application that addresses the following prompts:

• Discuss your primary area of research (e.g., Education, Health, Other Social Sciences, Economics, Methodology) and describe your role and responsibilities on a recent study you led or contributed to in this area;
• For applicants with Spanish language comprehension, indicate your level of fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish, particularly within the academic and/or professional context; 
• Highlight the statistical applications you are familiar with (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS) and what types of advanced analyses (e.g., multilevel regression, panel data analysis, propensity score analysis) you have conducted using these applications;
• Briefly describe your experience designing and leading research studies, providing one or two examples. If you have experience designing experimental or quasi-experimental research, please include at least one such study as an example.

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. 

Total Rewards: 
EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition and transportation reimbursement
• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund)
• Paid sick time and up to 16 hours of personal time annually
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $72,000 to $102,000.  Salary offers are made based on market analysis and internal equity.