Research Scientist - Search Institute

Nov 24, 2020

Research Scientist - Full Time

Search Institute seeks applicants for a position on our highly collaborative Research and Practice team. Applicants should have

a strong background in one or more of our organization’s areas of applied research: human development, education, youth or

family studies, social work, or evaluation.

We are especially interested in candidates with a deep interest in youth development and applied research, with strong

quantitative AND qualitative methodological skills and experience, and a demonstrated commitment to the use of

research to advance equity. The successful candidate will conduct applied mixed-methods research; prepare and submit

funding proposals; translate research findings into tools and services for practitioners; and, communicate research findings for

researchers, practitioners, and the public.

OUR VISION - Search Institute partners with organizations to conduct and apply research that promotes positive youth

development and advances equity.

OUR MISSION - All young people have what they need to thrive

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Applied Research

 Contribute to field and theory building focused on Search Institute’s core knowledge base

 Maintain and advance our organizational standards for rigor, application, ethics, and collaboration.

 Lead, and collaborate on, writing grant and contract proposals that support Search Institute’s research agenda and

strategic priorities.

 Lead, and collaboration, the design and execution of applied research studies, including basic research, evaluations,

and mixed methods research:

 Manage timelines, resources, budgets, compliance to contractual requirements, and deliverables;

 Resolve issues and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders;

 Execute established data management and archiving processes;

 Direct, coordinate, and enforce work plans;

 Manage and monitor compliance with IRB protocols;

 Critically read, synthesize, and integrate relevant literature;

 Develop and test quantitative and qualitative research protocols and instruments;

 Design sampling frame, data collection, and human participant protection protocols;

 Collect data;

 Analyze data;

 Interpret research findings;

 Communicate research findings via reports, papers, articles, and other publications and presentations for

funders, scholars, practitioners, and the public.

 Stay current on research, methodology, and policy and practice trends in education and youth, family, and community

development.

 Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical Assistance and Field Work

 Maintain strong and positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and field staff.

 Design and coordinate data collection efforts in the field.

 Collaborate with practitioners and developers to design, prototype, and test data-focused tools and services based on

findings from research.

 Provide technical support to partners in designing and utilizing protocols to support iterative improvement cycles.

 Work closely with partners to interpret and use data to inform improvement and drive practice.

 Lead research-based workshops, trainings, and presentations.

Job Posting

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REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience Required:

 PhD in a social science field related to Search Institute’s mission

 Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an applied research or evaluation setting

 Training in research ethics and data protection standards

 Successful completion of the mandatory CITI Human Research Participant Protections training; can be obtained within

first 30 days of employment

 Cross-cultural knowledge and experience

Methodological Expertise Required:

 Expertise in planning, executing, and analyzing mixed methods research

 Expertise in measurement model building, testing, scoring and interpretation of survey data

 Expertise in the analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative data using advanced statistical techniques

 Expertise in empirically testing developmental change in academic, socioemotional, and relational metrics

Professional Qualifications Required:

 Demonstrated interest, experience, and expertise related to Search Institute’s mission and research program

 Strong statistical analytic skills

 Proficient in analysis software packages (e.g., Mplus, SPSS, R, Nvivo)

 Excellent written and oral communication skills

 Strong project management skills

 Mastery of group facilitation, consulting, and presentation skills across diverse populations

 Ability to research and analyze complex information as a basis for decision making

 Ability to work and build strong relationships with leaders in different fields and at different levels of responsibility to

design and implement applied research projects

 Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

 Represent Search Institute in a positive and professional manner in all settings

 Ability to pass a criminal background check

Preferred Qualifications:

 Professional experience working with young people or adults who serve young people in an education or youth

development setting

 Training in the theory, principles, and tools used in improvement or implementation science

 Leadership experience with applied research in an educational or non-profit environment

 Supervision experience

 Bilingual

COMPENSATION: up to $75,000 per year, depending on qualifications

BENEFITS Search Institute is proud to offer our employees a great benefit package including medical,

dental, life insurance, disability insurance, health savings account, retirement savings

account with employer match, a generous PTO accrual and holiday pay.

HOW TO APPLY Please visit our website to apply: www.search-institute.org/jobs

APPLICATION DEADLINE December 31, 2020

Search Institute strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

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