Job Description

AIR is seeking a Senior Researcher to join the Human and Community Development program to contribute to research and evaluation projects focused on youth development and youth economic mobility . The Senior Researcher will lead and execute mixed-method research and evaluation projects end to enddesigning studies managing teams and budgets overseeing data collection and analysis developing proposals and communicating actionable findings to the field while serving as a trusted partner to clients and collaborators. The ideal candidate will bring methodological and subject matter expertise that will advance efforts to infuse youth development into settings such as out-of-school time and summer learning youth sports informal learning and work-based learning.

TheSenior Researcherwill join AIRsHuman and Community Development Programwhichgenerates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration in justice child and youth development family well-being and community health to facilitate safe healthy informed and thriving communities and improve the systems that serve 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.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIRs 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:

• Manage day-to-day project operations in roles such as principal investigator project director or task lead.
• Lead collaborative project teams by developing timelines coordinating staff assignments and ensuring deliverables are completed on time within budget and to a high standard.
• Identify research problems and design studies to address key questions in applied research contexts.
• Apply subject-matter expertise to design and implement relevant responsive and impactful research projects.
• Develop study designs with aligned research questions methodologies and analytic plans.
• Lead and contribute to research proposals for federal state foundation and other clients.
• Devise and implement innovative solutions to practical challenges in applied research.
• Lead data collection and analysis efforts.
• Oversee the design and planning of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection tools such as interview protocols focus group guides and surveys.
• Supervise field-based data collection activities including interviews observations focus groups and document reviews.
• Conduct or oversee data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques for various data types.
• Communicate study progress and findings clearly and effectively.
• Prepare reports briefs visualizations and other materials that interpret and present research findings for clients and stakeholders.
• Represent the organization professionally in all client interactions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with clients partners and stakeholders.
• Foster and maintain positive collaborative working relationships.
• Manage client and stakeholder relationships with professionalism and awareness of the broader policy and practice landscape.
• Contribute thoughtfully and creatively to project teams.

Qualifications:

Education Knowledge and Experience

• PhD in related subject area (e.g. Sociology Psychology Anthropology Public Policy or related field) with 3 years of relevant experience or Masters degree with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in youth development particularly in outofschooltime (OST) contexts such as summer learning expanded learning youth sports informal learning environments or youth workforce development programs.
• Experience conducting research or evaluation in contract research settings including familiarity with clientfunded timelines deliverables and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to serve as a Project Director (PD) or equivalent role including managing budgets timelines staff and client relationships.
• Strong grounding in implementation science and its application to youthfocused programs and systems.
• Experience with data collection methodologies (including but not limited to structured interviews observations survey research) and analysis activities (including but not limited to experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analytic software packages such as STATA R EXCEL NViVO and Access).
• Experience building and maintaining client and partner relationships and collaborating with youthserving organizations communitybased partners or education agencies.
• Experience with business pursuit (e.g. grant and proposal writing).

Skills

• Exceptional communication skills including the ability to synthesize complex findings into concise actionable insights for clients and practitioners.
• Strong clientfacing skills with the ability to build trust manage expectations and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams mentor staff and foster collaborative inclusive project environments.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to translate broad ideas into structured work plans and timelines.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in writing analysis and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in virtual hybrid or distributed teams.

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 any characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law including but not limited to actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braid locks and twists) creed color religion alienage or national origin ancestry citizenship status age physical or mental disability medical condition (e.g. cancer) sex gendergender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status civil union status pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions genetic information or military or veteran status. 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 or call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an @ domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address for example is correct and is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received please reach out to If you see a job scam or lose money to one report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at . You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams #LI-REMOTE

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$126000 - $154000 USD

Required Experience:

Senior IC

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