Researcher/Research Associate

Join McREL International and become part of our rich legacy of making a difference in the quality of education for all, through excellence in applied research, product development, and services. Since 1966, we have a track record of success in the U.S., Canada, the Pacific Region, Australia, and other parts of the world. McREL is committed to being the organization that changes the odds for students and those that work with them. We turn knowledge about what works in education into practical, effective guidance and training for educators and education leaders, sharing the mission of the schools and systems we work with: to help students and staff be successful in identifying and achieving goals.

Our Honolulu office focuses on supporting courageous leaders across the Pacific region who are committed to improving student achievement. To accomplish this, the staff works with practitioners within the region to research, develop, implement, and evaluate strategies for improving systems and creating environments in which students achieve great results consistently.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Researchers/Research Associates at McREL conducts or provides support for conducting research and evaluation studies for the organization’s contracts and grants for institutional research and evaluation. This may include collecting and analyzing data, and assisting with the production of client deliverables such as reports or presentations. The Researcher/Research Associate is able to effectively listen to and understand client needs and help to devise appropriate responses that address those needs. This position performs a variety of research tasks under the direction of a project lead and will focus primarily on research studies and training, coaching, and technical assistance projects for the Regional Education Laboratory for the Pacific Region (REL Pacific) with some duties on other research and evaluation projects in Hawaii and the Pacific region.

This position requires frequent international travel to territories and freely associated states in the Pacific region as well as occasional national travel to locations within the Hawaiian islands and the continental United States.

Serves as a member of the REL Pacific team

Assists education research partnerships in analyzing data to identify problems of practice and develop and test potential interventions through small-scale research studies.

Designs and conducts research studies in collaboration with education research partnerships, ensuring that all study designs meet Institute of Education Sciences’ requirements for research in the REL program.

Collects and analyzes data, and assists with the production of client deliverables such as reports or presentations.

Implements and oversees portions of project plans, meeting budgets, and project timelines.

May contribute to proposal writing, report writing, and project communication.

Prioritizes multiple responsibilities and takes initiative in work.

Works as an effective team member to ensure the successful completion of assigned tasks.

Proactively monitors their own project coverage, stays within allotted project hours, and alerts management to possible gaps in project coverage.

Responds to internal and external requests in a timely matter, including, at times, during non-traditional business hours.

Makes decisions and performs in a manner congruent with organizational mission, vision, and values.

Knows and follows corporate policies, procedures, and processes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

Strong oral and written communication skills.
Developing qualitative and/or quantitative analytical skills.
Skill in preparing complex data sets for analysis, including cleaning, aggregating, disaggregating, and recoding data.
General knowledge and understanding of significant issues in education.
Basic knowledge of the steps in research and evaluation design.
Basic knowledge of instrument design. Ability to create instruments based on extant ones.
Developing ability to collect data using various approaches (focus groups, interviews, surveys).
Proficiency using SPSS (preferred), SAS, R, or MAXQDA, and online survey software.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, project management software, and McREL-specific tools and reports.
Strong technical writing skills.
Ability to work well with a variety of people.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree.
- Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant work experience.

-or-

Master’s degree with relevant internship experience.

-or-

Ph.D. with relevant internship experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A master’s degree with relevant internship experience.
Experience working on a Regional Education Laboratory or other IES-funded project
Training and experience in the use of large-scale databases for research including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) database, statewide longitudinal data systems, National Center for Education Statistics data sets.
Completion of Institute of Education Sciences trainings (e.g., Cluster Randomized Trials, Quasi-Experimental Design and Analysis, Single-Case Intervention Research Design and Analysis) and/or other methodological workshops.

TRAVEL:

Must be willing and able to perform all national and international travel (including overnight and commercial airline travel) that is necessary to accomplish the essential functions of this position. Travel for this position is estimated at up to 50%.

We are proud to offer our employees a substantial benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and accident insurance, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program. In addition, we offer a retirement savings plan with a significant employer contribution. We strive to support a work-life balance for our employees with a generous time off policy including vacation, personal time, sick days, and paid holidays.

Applicants must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with McREL International.

McREL International is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Skills
Required

Experience