"Associate Director of Research"

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Research at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University will oversee and develop the analytical work for a portfolio of research projects, contribute to the broader strategic vision of projects, and assure the quality of analytic products.

The Associate Director of Research will primarily work on the States Leading States (SLS) Initiative, which partners with state education agencies to evaluate the impact of their policy initiatives and spread effective policies to other states. This position will report to CEPR’s States Leading States Senior Director and will work closely with the Director of Research who oversees the analytic team.

The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (CEPR) seeks to transform education through quality research and evidence. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. By generating relevant and accessible research, developing technical and organizational capacity to use evidence, and creating a community of schools and systems dedicated to using evidence for progress, CEPR helps researchers and practitioners uncover and share the best of what works—and what doesn’t—in education. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop a portfolio of analytic research projects across the research life cycle, including the establishment of research questions, design of the study, grant writing, collection of data, analysis, and writing of reports and academic papers.
• Lead a team of faculty and researchers in developing education research projects to study causal effects using randomized control trials or quasi-experimental designs, to create data diagnostics or dashboards, or to develop analytic tools and processes. Analyses will target salient and actionable questions developed in collaboration with state education agencies.
• Hire and supervise research managers and research analysts for projects, coach fellows, and lead workshops.
• Provide technical training to analysts and fellows on research methods and the selection of appropriate statistical methods.
• Work with project PIs and directors to help manage analytic portion of budget, write grant reports, and set the project’s vision.
• Working closely with principal investigators, help develop ideas and strategies for new projects, including identifying funding sources, designing the research, and writing grant proposals.
• Manage the successful execution of SLS research projects by developing work plans, meeting key project deadlines, and coordinating work for current and future CEPR projects.
• Build trusting, professional relationships with internal collaborators, including data administration staff, program staff, and principal investigators.
• Effectively engage with external collaborators, including state education agency leadership, to provide timely updates regarding the status of identified research topics and ensure that the research needs of these topics are met.
• Ensure the quality and reproducibility of the research by designing rigorous studies, using appropriate statistical models and tests, reviewing output, and developing protocols for documenting and checking analytic work.
• Perform complex statistical programming as needed.
• Effectively communicate findings to a wide array of technical and non-technical audiences. Disseminate findings through meetings and conferences. Contribute to and create research reports and academic publications.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in economics, education, public policy, statistics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of management responsibility and demonstrated ability to lead a team.
• 6+ years of experience in quantitative research (including graduate coursework and research) with responsibility for data management and cleaning, analysis, and report writing.
• Experience with statistical programming and analysis in Stata and/or R and willingness to learn another software package.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position should indicate that they meet all of the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.

Candidates who move beyond an initial phone screen will be required to complete a case study, submit sample code, and provide a writing sample. Candidates invited to a final round will be required to give a presentation on their prior work.

This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with a strong possibility of continuation. The position is currently a hybrid position with 3 days in the Cambridge office and 2 days remote.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• PhD in a related social science field using quantitative methods strongly preferred.
• Experience in working with K-12 and postsecondary data sets.
• Practical experience with a variety of research methods, such as randomized control trials, value-added models, instrumental variables, synthetic controls, Bayesian estimation, and/or machine learning, is a plus.
• Ability to teach, support, and/or train others in analysis, the use of data tools, and programming through individual coaching or group learning experiences.
• Experience developing project ideas and partnerships, grant writing, and/or project budgeting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in particular an ability to communicate technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with state or local education agencies to design and conduct policy-relevant research.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 1 Year from Date of Hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate: (refer to Harvard's Salary Ranges)
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, and Education
• Work Format Details: This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States.
• Salary Grade and Ranges: This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
• Benefits: Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off, medical insurance, retirement plans, and more. Learn more at Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
• EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement: Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination.