Who We Are
Education Northwest is a nonprofit applied research, evaluation, and technical assistance organization based in Portland, Oregon. We are organized around broad disciplines and capabilities to support continuous improvement of complex educational systems. We customize our services to meet the needs of our clients and learners and we take great pride in working closely with these partners to design the right approach for their context, goals, and strategies. We are seeking an experienced staff member with expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and postsecondary education research, policy, and practice.
We are deeply committed to bringing educational equity to all students, which is why we are thrilled to be seeking an experienced and skilled Researcher with strong qualitative methods training and experience with culturally responsive and equitable evaluation design.
What You Will Be Doing
As a Principal Researcher of STEM and Postsecondary Education, you will support the following work: leading a set of applied research and evaluation projects focused on STEM, postsecondary success and institutional transformation in higher education; overseeing and conducting research that uses quantitative and mixed methods; building and sustaining relationships with new clients, partners, and funders; producing tools, products and resources to support educators and communities in implementing evidence-based policies and practices; and growing the organization’s national visibility and impact.
Responsibilities
Supervisory Responsibility: None
- Lead and contribute to a portfolio of work focused on STEM, postsecondary success, and institutional transformation in higher education
- Oversee a set of mixed methods applied research and equitable evaluation projects from scoping and budgeting to negotiating with clients to managing project teams and mentoring project staff
- Lead project teams to conduct work of exceptional quality and model and mentor team members in project management, relationship development, client engagement and culturally responsive and equitable ways of working
- Use descriptive, quasi-experimental, and experimental methods to conduct applied research and evaluation that provides actionable data and evidence
- Conduct quality assurance reviews at all phases of the applied research process, including reviewing and providing feedback on quantitative research methods, syntax, and output and ensuring data collection protocols, procedures, reports, and other products are of the highest quality
- Work with peers to develop and institutionalize new, innovative, and responsive ways to report research and evaluation findings and make meaningful changes in educational systems, policies, and practices
- Help partners and clients make strategic use of evaluation data and research evidence in policy and programmatic decision making and change management efforts
- Lead partnership and business development efforts to generate new applied research and equitable evaluation projects through relationship building, proposal development, grant writing and other forms of business development
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with practitioners, policy makers and other key partners and funders
- Help lead a new cross organizational effort focused on culturally responsive and equitable approached to research, evaluation, and technical assistance
What You Should Have
- Demonstrated expertise in mixed methods research and evaluation methods, including knowledge of leading-edge quantitative methods in applied research and evaluation
- A track record of producing and overseeing the production of highly actionable written reports, data displays and visualizations, presentations, and other client-centered products
- Strong project management skills and experience scoping and directing projects, including large, multi-year efforts
- Demonstrated experience assisting diverse educational stakeholders including schools and districts, state and federal agencies, postsecondary institutions and systems, policymakers, and community organizations in using data and evidence and supporting implementation of evidence-based practices
- Lived and/or professional experience working in culturally, linguistically, and racially diverse environments
- A deep commitment to racial and gender equity, and a record of authentic partnerships and engagement with diverse communities
- An understanding of the educational policy and funding landscape, including federal, state, and local agencies and philanthropic organizations
- An advanced degree and five or more years of experience working in an applied research and evaluation setting
- Expertise in using Stata or R to conduct advanced quantitative research and evaluation
- Knowledge of policy and practice issues in STEM and postsecondary education research, policy, and practice
What It Would Be Nice for You to Have
- Experience developing and leading culturally responsive and equitable evaluation and research projects in collaboration with clients and/or community partners
- A track record successfully developing and leading research practice partnerships, design-based implementation research, or another model of collaborative research
- Experience with community and participatory action research methods
- Experience collaborating with philanthropic clients on issues of equity and social justice
- What Works Clearinghouse certification and/or training in causal research design
Other Important Things You Should Know
- Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel
- Position can be based in Portland, Oregon based or from a home office anywhere in the United States
What You Will Get
- 403(b) with a 13% employer contribution once vested
- Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee with reasonable options for dependent coverage
- 20 days of PTO to start with up to 32 days after year 3
- Tuition reimbursement
- Flexible spending account
- Commuter/Transportation benefits
- Free public transit for Portland based employee’s
Education Northwest is an Affirmative Action/EEO employer, and we particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2 community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described above.
Interested in being a part of this amazing and diverse team of dedicated individuals? Please submit your resume and cover letter with salary requirements here.