Research Analyst

MDRC | REMOTE

About Job

MDRC is seeking a Research Analyst to join our Postsecondary Education policy area, which conducts research to gauge the impacts of programs designed to help students with low incomes succeed academically in community colleges and other postsecondary institutions. We also provide support for evidence-based program design based on our findings.
MDRC is recognized as a national leader in postsecondary education research and technical assistance. For its growing postsecondary education agenda, MDRC is seeking a person to work as part of multiple interdisciplinary teams on institutional reform, comprehensive student services, financial aid, and developmental education interventions. This position covers a range of possible activities within MDRC’s national and state-level postsecondary work, including research, operations, technical assistance, development, and dissemination. Candidates should have an interest in postsecondary education programs and/or research and strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Roles and Responsibilities:
For this role, MDRC seeks an individual who will be a passionate problem-solver, working with both sites and programs. We are looking for candidates who have strong operations, implementation, and qualitative research skills. Knowledge and interest in education policy issues are also highly desirable. The position provides the successful candidate an opportunity to:

• Conduct reconnaissance and recruit sites to participate in MDRC evaluations;
• Serve as a liaison between selected sites and MDRC project directors;
• Provide technical assistance and program-related support to service providers and nonprofit programs;
• Develop operations and workstream management tools and qualitative data collection protocols;
• Assess and monitor ongoing program planning, implementation, and operations in program locations and provide formative feedback;
• Partner with senior staff on implementation research design and field research in participating colleges and sites;
• Travel to or virtually visit (depending on COVID-19 protocols) research sites in the field to conduct interviews and observations with a broad group of college and program staff, policymakers, and other key stakeholders and to code/analyze qualitative data;
• Provide support for general project management activities, including organizing meetings, updating work plans, facilitating coordination across project sub-teams, and supervising junior staff members;
• Contribute to research reports and help disseminate results to policymakers, practitioners, and social scientists; and
• Be actively involved in various stages of research projects, from proposals to project design to analysis and reporting.

Qualifications:
Prospective candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s-level degree required; master’s degree with relevant program operations experience in a social policy/science or related field preferred;
• Prior experience working in a school, at an education-focused nonprofit, or at another research organization is a plus, but not required;
• Demonstrated interest in social policy issues affecting education;
• Knowledge of field research and qualitative research techniques;
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to collaborate and work with diverse program teams;
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical ability;
• Demonstrated sensitivity to conducting research and providing operations support in diverse communities and the ability to relate to program management staff, site staff, community residents, and program clients; and
• Comfort in working in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit under Social Policy Worker United (SPWU) – Local 57 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Timing: Applications should be submitted by Friday, March 18, 2022. Please see “What to expect from MDRC’s recruitment process” for more information.

Location: Based in MDRC’s New York City or Oakland, CA offices, but we anticipate remote work through April 2022.

Compensation and benefits: Salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance offered. Some on-the-job training is provided.

Instructions: When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing sample