Research Assistant (Center for Mobility & Measurement)

About WestEd As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood.

Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs. WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices.

WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran. SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience.

The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question. The Opportunity:   This position will work as part of the Center for Mobility and Measurement (CMM) at WestEd.    Vision: The Center for Mobility and Measurement will strengthen interconnected systems that support learning, development, and opportunity across the lifespan.

We’ll use rigorous assessment, evaluation, research, data analytics, and technical assistance to inform the implementation of effective strategies and the development of aligned pathways across educational institutions and related systems to promote safety, well-being, economic mobility, and opportunities for all learners and community members. Core Focus Areas   Research Activities   Perform literature searches and literature reviews on a variety of education and related systems topics.

Support research efforts with IRB approvals and data agreements. Contribute to data collection protocols. Co-lead primary and secondary data collection activities. Use a variety of software for qualitative and/or quantitative analyses. Manage, clean, analyze, and interpret data. Administrative Support   Take notes, create agendas, and schedule meetings to support research teams. Coordinate and contribute to proposal development.

Create and modify report templates, manage timelines, and communicate deadlines. Dissemination and Outreach   Contribute to and edit research and evaluation reports and proposals. Create short papers, infographics, and other materials to convey findings to clients, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Assist in preparing presentations for clients and conferences. What We’re Looking For:    To help us make a positive impact on diverse learners, we’ll need someone who has: Master’s degree or graduate training in education or an equivalent social science degree.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience managing data. Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Docs. Proficient with developing organizational structures (e.g., file sharing software and structures, timelines and trackers). Strong organizational skills/attention to detail and time management. Comfortability with fast-paced, quick turnaround projects and timelines. Ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.

Training or coursework in statistical methods. Experience with statistical coding (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata, or similar software). Experience with survey