Posting Details

Posting NumberPG190661EPInternal Recruitment NoWorking TitleResearch Assistant/ Research Associate - FIRE TeamAnticipated Hiring RangeCommensurate with Education and ExperienceWork ScheduleMonday - Friday 8am - 5pm, with flexibility in schedule and remote work locationJob LocationRaleigh, NCDepartment Friday InstituteAbout the Department

The mission of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University is to advance education through innovation in teaching, learning, and leadership. Bringing together educational professionals, researchers, policy-makers, and other community members, the Friday Institute is a center for fostering collaborations to improve education. The Friday Institute focuses on helping to create the next generation education system.

The Friday Institute Research and Evaluation (FIRE) team is a dynamic group of researchers from diverse professional backgrounds who collaborate to provide exemplary evaluation services. We conduct evidence-based research with a commitment to mixed research methods that employ the most up-to-date tools and techniques. As part of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, a unit of North Carolina State University’s College of Education, we capitalize on the broad resources available to members of a highly respected university research community. We value honesty and accuracy in our data collection, analysis, and reporting, and we conduct research with integrity.
Through our collective professional and personal experiences, we have gained a deep respect for the hard work of educators at all levels, and we have developed a unique and comprehensive understanding of innovations in K-12 public education in North Carolina and nationally. Our strong working relationships with national, state, and local education leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers position us to contribute to effective, data-driven decision-making for the continuous improvement of teaching and learning.

Essential Job Duties

The Friday Institute needs to hire a Research Assistant/ Research Associate (RA) to assist with work on several projects to evaluate the implementation and impact of educational initiatives focused on innovation, equity, and capacity building.

This individual will contribute to the research and evaluation planning process and day-to-day operations of evaluation projects.
The RA will serve as a contact between school personnel, project team members, graduate assistants, and the faculty members. The RA will be responsible for collecting, inputting, editing, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, as well as creating and managing databases and online surveys. This person will conduct site visits, classroom observations, focus groups, interviews.

In addition, the RA will contribute reports for the LEAs and schools participating in the study, the funding agencies, and interested educators, researchers, and policymakers. The RA will be responsible for preparing papers for publication and presentation at professional meetings and will contribute to proposals for additional evaluation projects.

Other Responsibilities

While a research assistant/associate is expected to contribute in many ways to FIRE team projects, typical responsibilities include:
Conduct literature reviews
Collect, manage, clean, and organize datasets
Prepare materials for NC State Institutional Review Board
Prepare interview questions
Recruit and/or interview subjects
Maintain accurate records of interviews, safeguarding the confidentiality of subjects, as necessary
Perform qualitative coding and analyses using qualitative data analysis software
Design and administer online surveys and prepare online survey reports
Provide descriptive statistics for surveys
Request or acquire equipment or supplies necessary for the project
Manage and respond to project related email
Prepare, maintain, and update website materials
Attend project meetings
Attend area seminars and other meetings as necessary
Summarize project results
Prepare progress reports for funders and research partners
Prepare other articles, reports, and presentations

Minimum Experience and Education

At the Research Assistant Level:

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience, or substantative relevant independent experience and education.

At the Research Associate Level:

• Completed Master’s or equivalent degree in Education, Education Research, Program Evaluation, or other relevant field.
• Background and experience in research or evaluation, including survey and qualitative research methods.

Other Required Qualifications

Understanding of mixed-method research approaches
Willingness to take initiative and learn new skills
Ability to work with a team toward a common goal
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
Strong writing and oral presentation skills
Ability to communicate effectively to academic and practitioner audiences
Skilled in planning, organization, coordination of research activities
Strong desire to learn new skills and be adaptable
Skill in both verbal and written communication
Skilled in the use of personal computer and related software applications (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Google Apps for Education)

Preferred Qualifications

Teaching, research and/or evaluation experience in K-12 educational settings.

Technical Proficiency in one or more of the following software applications (or equivalent):

• Qualtrics (Survey Software) *Atlas.ti (Qualitative Data Analysis) R (Statistical Analysis)

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

n/a

Valid NC Driver's License requiredNoCommercial Driver's License requiredNoJob Open Date10/15/2020Anticipated Close DateOpen Until Filled.Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include:

Cover letter
CV
Contact information for 3 professional references

Position Number00106242Position TypeEHRA Non-FacultyFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)1.0 FTEAppointment12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse WeatherNon Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency EventsNon Mandatory - Emergency EventIs this position partially or fully funded on ARRA stimulus monies?NoDepartment ID139001 - Friday InstituteAA/EOE

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you learn of this opportunity?
   • NCSU Website
   • NCSU Executive Search Services
   • Monster.com
   • CareerBuilder.com
   • InsideHigherEd.com
   • Other Online Job Board
   • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
   • Job / Career Fair
   • The Chronicle of Higher Education
   • HERC
   • Professional Journal
   • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
   • Professional Organization
   • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
   • NCSU Employee Referral
   • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
   • Other
2. If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

   (Open Ended Question)

Application Materials RequiredRequired Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Contact Information for References
3. Resume/CV

Optional Documents