Overview
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Va, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners.
AIR’s Learning Supports program area is currently seeking a Researcher for the English Learners (ELs) practice hub. We are willing to hire at a more senior level for a qualified candidate. The EL practice hub is committed to improving outcomes for English learners by conducting rigorous research and connecting research to policy and practice. We are seeking a quantitative Researcher to design and conduct evaluation research, with a specific emphasis on studies of EL-related policies and practices. The project work of the EL practice hub includes:
- Conducting rigorous evaluations of programs and policies for EL students, applying a breadth of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.
- Focusing on research studies of instruction in order to determine what works best for ELs.
- Providing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners, bringing the appropriate research expertise to meet the specific needs of a given set of stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Building a portfolio of field-driven research on ELs, including building relationships with stakeholders, and writing proposals that demonstrate content expertise in ELs and strong methodological research design
- Leading quantitative tasks and projects related to ELs
- Interpreting and disseminating results from statistical analyses so that they are accessible to non-researcher audiences and actionable for policy and practice
- Demonstrating cultural competence and sensitivity in all interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, and study participants
- Working on collaborative project teams, managing and mentoring junior staff
Qualifications
- PhD with 0-3 years of experience in evaluation design and prior research focused on ELs
- Experience in conducting contract- and/or grant-funded research in formal or informal education settings.
- Track record of leading and/or contributing substantially to successful proposal and business development efforts
- Experience with taking big ideas and developing work plans and timelines
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
- Effective communicator, with proficiency producing briefings and reports accessible to broad audiences
Candidates hired for the new position might initially start working remotely but will ultimately have the option to work from one of our offices located in the DC, Chicago, Boston, Oakland, and Austin (TX) metro areas.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.