"Academic Researcher"

Job Details

Academic Researcher

Are you passionate about conducting high-quality quantitative research as part of a diverse research team? Do you love working to improve higher education access, inclusivity, and reach? How about researching emerging ways of learning with virtual reality technology? Then continue reading below for this Academic Researcher position!

EdPlus at ASU is a dynamic unit of Arizona State University focused on the design and scalable delivery of digital teaching and learning models to increase student success and reduce barriers to achievement in higher education. We advance the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the local, national, and international communities served by ASU.

Want to know more about working at EdPlus? Click here!

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Academic Researcher to join our high-performing, interdisciplinary Action Lab research team. Although you will officially report to the Senior Director of Academic Research, you will collaborate with other Action Lab researchers, staff, and faculty to co-manage the Dreamscape Lear (DSL) quantitative research protocols and to collect, analyze, coordinate, communicate, and maintain research information.

Dreamscape Learn combines narratively driven virtual reality lab experiences with a newly designed curriculum to engage ASU's diverse, 21st-century learners. Although DSL products have been integrated into several courses for several semesters (or even years), ongoing mixed-methods research aims to deepen our understanding of DSL's immediate and long-term effects on student learning and persistence.

Action Lab is a data-driven, research-focused service organization—an impact hub—that supports ASU and EdPlus initiatives by equipping leaders with the insights and analyses they need to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Action Lab drives transformational change in education through data and research, focusing on learner behaviors and the factors that drive success. Our goal is to improve access and achievement while bolstering the development of quality education for all learners. Our research is action-oriented and operationally focused; we support and coordinate with high-level university stakeholders to enhance student learning, motivation, and persistence, as well as increase equity across the university.

Ideally, you will possess strong skills in quantitative data management, statistical analysis, and modeling, as well as a solid understanding of research methodologies and their applications in higher education. You will recommend and align quantitative methods with broader research objectives; accurately and efficiently extract, clean, transform, and analyze data; and identify trends and patterns within the data. You must demonstrate excellent time management skills, a willingness to collaborate and learn new skills, and the patience to succeed.

Essential Duties:

• Uses various computer programs and software to perform data computation, statistical analysis, etc. (Proficiency in R is required; flexibility to work in other languages and environments, including Python or SQL, is desirable).
• Coordinates and determines compatibility of data from various sources (e.g., internal ASU data tables and external datasets) with support from data management teams.
• Manages data collection and compilation. Performs data cleaning, statistical analysis, and data visualization in R.
• Selects, develops, and/or recommends appropriate research design methodologies, data analyses, and statistical procedures; assists with determining appropriate methodology to be used for specific project(s).
• Understands, values, and contributes to the richness of co-informed data-driven insights (i.e., those formed from the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods).
• Contributes to internal Action Lab/DSL reports and presentations as needed; helps prepare formal research reports and presentations for dissemination to various audiences; performs literature reviews to inform research design.
• Collaborates with the DSL research team to conduct quantitative research to co-inform instructional practices, pedagogy, engagement, and technology decisions.
• Manages a high volume of research files; tracks, manages, prioritizes, and reports daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
• Co-manages survey research process in Qualtrics; designs, develops, and implements research surveys using Qualtrics.
• Assumes or coordinates other duties or projects as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD required (preferably in learning sciences, data science, or related discipline, or from a quantitatively rigorous area of study); will consider candidates who are close to defense date/ABD with a plan to finish within a reasonable timeframe.
• Demonstrated skills in data management, statistical analysis, and modeling in R (R knowledge is required).
• Demonstrated skills in the design, development, and implementation of surveys in Qualtrics.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, including but not limited to experimental/quasi-experimental design, descriptive and inferential statistics, and modeling data.
• Demonstrated ability to perform general/generalized linear modeling, path analysis, and structural equation modeling.
• Broad experience/interests in various statistical abilities and interest in developing skills to match needs in these areas.
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with SQL or an ability to learn.
• Evidence of creative research design ideas to elicit defensible and co-informed research findings.
• Evidence of effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work in a highly matrixed and team environment.
• Experience in higher education research and practice preferred.

NOTE: Please answer the following questions in your cover letter:

• Do you have a robust knowledge of R?
• Do you consider yourself a statistician or a quantitative researcher?

Salary & Benefits:

$75,000 - $81,500 per year; DOE

ASU offers a total compensation package that includes valuable employee benefits. Click here to explore options.

• Healthcare
• Financial Security
• Retirement
• Family Resources
• Tuition Reduction (Eligible ASU Employee, their dependents and spouse.)
• Discounts

Working Environment:

Your desk will be in the beautiful, cutting-edge, and collaborative workspace at SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. The Center houses a diverse business community that links technology, research, education, and entrepreneurship to position ASU and Greater Phoenix as global leaders in the knowledge economy.

EdPlus at ASU supports flexible work options, ranging from alternate work schedules to hybrid remote work schedules, subject to approvals per ASU policy. (This is NOT a fully remote position.)

Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States. EdPlus at ASU will not be a sponsor for this position.

Department Statement:

EdPlus defines itself through a culture of curiosity, risk-taking and refusing to accept the status quo. As a central enterprise unit for ASU focused on the design and scalable delivery of digital teaching and learning models to increase student success and reduce barriers to achievement in higher education, our commitments support the University charter. ASU is a national service university and aspires to accelerate positive social outcomes through the seamless integration of cutting-edge technological innovation and scalability.

EdPlus employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to be their unique selves. We know that our ability to deliver high-quality services and educational experiences is strengthened by our culture of inclusion. Our innovative approach drives outcomes through serving learners, achieving milestones, striving for excellence, solving problems, embracing urgency, and being bold.

EdPlus at ASU

Apply before midnight Arizona time: Monday, December 29, 2025.

To apply, visit: https://asu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ASUStaffCareers/job/Academic-Researcher_JR115234