"Research Assistant - School of Computer Science - HCII"

Research Assistant - School of Computer Science - HCII

Company: Carnegie Mellon University

Job Location: Pittsburgh, 15213

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Adjunct/Part-Time

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world's most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we invent it. If you're passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) is a living laboratory where we investigate the relationship between computer technology, human activity, and society. Founded in 1993, the HCII is a place where we work to understand and create technology that harmonizes with and improves human capabilities, goals, and social environments through interdisciplinary research and education in design, computer science, and behavioral and social sciences. We research how people work, play, and communicate within groups, organizations, and social structures, then we design, create, and evaluate technologies and tools to support human and social activities.

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support design-based research and qualitative data analysis for a new project creating classroom goal tools within CMU PLUS. This role is focused on designing low- and mid-fidelity prototypes for co-design with middle school teachers, including conducting design interviews and collecting, analyzing, and organizing interview data to support classroom goal setting and student engagement in K-12 math classrooms.

Core Responsibilities:

• Support early-stage co-design with middle school teachers focused on goal-setting routines and classroom use of i-Ready data.
• Create low- and mid-fidelity prototypes (e.g., mockups, flow diagrams, sample routines, teacher-facing materials) to facilitate co-design sessions.
• Conduct and document design interviews and co-design meetings with teachers (with guidance from the PI).
• Collect, organize, and manage qualitative data including interview notes, transcripts, artifacts, and classroom feedback.
• Code and analyze qualitative data (e.g., thematic analysis) to identify design requirements, breakdowns, and opportunities for refinement.
• Synthesize findings into design memos, summaries, and actionable recommendations to inform iterative revisions of goal-support routines and analytics.
• Coordinate closely with the PI and project team to ensure design insights inform subsequent implementation and research phases.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience with qualitative research methods, including interviews, observations, or design-based research strongly preferred.
• Experience organizing, coding, and synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., interview notes, transcripts, design artifacts).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability-this role supports time-sensitive co-design and research activities with partner schools.
• Comfort working independently while coordinating closely with the PI and research team.
• Ability to create and iterate on low- and mid-fidelity prototypes (e.g., slides, mockups, written routines, diagrams) to support co-design conversations.
• Clear written communication skills for producing design memos and summaries for research and practitioner audiences.
• CITI training and child protection clearances (or willingness to complete promptly).
• Helpful skills and tools
  • Design and prototyping tools: Figma, Miro, FigJam, PowerPoint, Google Slides, or equivalent.
  • Qualitative analysis software: NVivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti, or structured coding in spreadsheets.
  • Interview and transcription workflows: Otter, Zoom transcripts, Rev, or manual transcription.
  • Collaborative documentation and versioning: Google Drive, Notion, Overleaf, or GitHub.
  • Familiarity with K-12 classroom contexts, teacher professional development, or learning sciences research.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful background check
• Child Protection Clearances (Act 153)

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function Researchers

Position Type Staff - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Full Time/Part time Part time

Pay Basis Hourly