Quantitative Researcher, Human and Community Development

AIR is seeking a Quantitative Researcher to join our Human and Community Development Program. AIR’s work in Human and Community Development focuses on generating evidence-informed solutions and partnering with communities, practitioners, and policymakers to help people and systems thrive across the life course. Together, our team leverages research, evaluation, technical assistance, and implementation support to strengthen programs and policies that affect individuals, families, and communities—particularly those that have been historically marginalized or under-resourced.

In support of this work, the selected candidate will apply rigorous quantitative approaches to research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects leveraging an array of quasi-experimental, experimental, and other data analytics designs (e.g., machine learning). They are expected to apply advanced statistical techniques with methodological rigor and translate evidence on what works into clear, actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners within complex, human and community development contexts. This role requires the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and respond to real-world opportunities and challenges, with an emphasis on:

• Community Health, including evidence translation and communication to inform health care choices; healthy behaviors; housing and homelessness; behavioral health; disaster preparedness; and rural health
• Children and Families, including early childhood, early learning, child care, maternal and infant health, and child welfare
• Safety and Justice, including violence prevention and the prevention of harmful behaviors among defense and law enforcement personnel; juvenile and adult justice systems (diversion, facilities, and reentry) as well as their community-based system alternatives
• Youth Development, including out-of-school time and summer learning, youth sports and arts, adolescent science, informal learning (libraries, museums), and youth economic mobility)

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

This includes the ability to independently execute project work by managing own time, communicating with project directors about deadlines, and completing tasks with quality. Candidates must also be able to prepare timelines, coordinate staff on task assignments, and contribute to jointly developed task products to ensure they are completed on time, on budget, and with quality. 

• Manage day-to-day project work and operations in task-lead and project director roles. This includes the ability to independently execute project work by managing own time, communicating with project directors about deadlines, and completing tasks with quality. Candidates must also be able to prepare timelines, coordinate staff on task assignments, and contribute to jointly-developed task products to ensure they are completed on time, on budget, and with quality. 
• Conceptualize problems and identify field-relevant research and evaluation questions in human and community development topic areas as well as collaborate in designing studies to address them.  This includes the ability to use content knowledge in conjunction with an understanding of research design principles to design and implement relevant and responsive projects for the field. This further includes the ability to contribute to research proposals for Federal, state, foundation, and other clients.
• Lead or serve as a key contributor to the collection and analyses of data. This centers the capacity to use creative and rigorous quantitative strategies from propensity score matched designs to randomized controlled trials or machine learning address novel challenges. This includes the ability to design, develop, and maintain analytic dashboards that support real-time monitoring, descriptive analysis, and the communication of findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead field-based data collection activities. This includes building data use agreements and overseeing data management and analyses of surveys and/or administrative data to facilitate the appropriate rigorous analysis to address client-funded questions. 
• Communicate study progress and findings. Write brief, blogs, and reports which leverage charts, graphs, dashboards, and broad data visualization strategies that describe and interpret findings of analyses for clients. Clearly communicate with clients orally to interpret findings and represent AIR in a professional manner.
• Maintain positive and collaborative relationships. Contribute to positive client and stakeholder relationships in ways that are respectful and demonstrate knowledge of the field and policy landscape. Contribute substantively, thoughtfully, and creatively to project teams. Demonstrate respect, competency, and sensitivity in all interactions with colleagues, project participants, and community members.

Qualifications  

Education, Knowledge, and Experience: 

• PhD in related subject area (Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Public Health, Human Development, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or related field), or a master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant applied research experience. 
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing evidence through rigorous research and evaluation.
• Knowledge of and experience in human and community development topic areas.
• Experience designing research and evaluation protocols, including study design, data collection, and analytic plans.
• Experience applying rigorous quantitative methodologies, including experimental and quasi-experimental approaches (e.g., propensity score matched designs, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity designs, instrumental variables), using administrative and/or survey data.
• Ability to translate conceptual or policy-relevant questions into concrete work plans, timelines, and analytic strategies.
• Experience with complex data integration and data visualization, including the development and use of analytic dashboards preferred, but not required.
• Experience with rigorous qualitative methods (e.g., structured interviews, focus groups, observations, survey research) preferred, but not required.

Skills: 

• Experience using analytic software packages such as, R or STATA.
• Ability to effectively communicate research findings to broad audiences both in writing (e.g., reports, briefs), visually (e.g., infographics, dashboards), and orally (e.g., presentations).
• Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships. 
• Experience supporting business development efforts, including grant and proposal writing (e.g., grant and proposal writing) preferred, but not required.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] call 202.403.5000.

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