"Researcher"

The Researcher serves as researcher for sponsored research in the Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy within The John Glenn College of Public Affairs. The Researcher will support the 2026 Ohio veterans needs assessment for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) and nuclear workforce assessment conducted by The Ohio State University. This role is responsible for leading components of a large-scale research project designed to assess the needs of veterans across Ohio in areas including health (mental and physical), education, housing, and workforce training/transition services. Additionally, this role will support a comprehensive assessment of the nuclear workforce needs in the U.S. relative to higher education offerings.

The Researcher will independently lead research activities, contribute to study design, implement and refine research methods, and support project leadership in ensuring the successful execution of all phases of the assessment. Responsibilities include survey instrument development, sampling and distribution strategy, IRB preparation, data analysis, synthesis of findings, and preparation of deliverables. The Researcher will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and subject-matter experts to meet project goals and ensure high-quality, actionable outputs.

Duties

Participates in the development and implementation of a large-scale, statewide needs assessment focused on Ohio veterans and the nuclear workforce needs; contributes to the design of research methodology, including sampling strategies, population definitions, and data collection plans; conducts statistical analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of survey data and linked data.

Oversees and direct daily activities related to data collection, survey distribution, and participant incentive processes; identifies process challenges and recommend solutions to improve efficiency and data quality; coordinates with research assistants and student workers to ensure timely completion of tasks.

Collaborates with statistical and methodological staff to ensure alignment with compliance expectations; investigates and evaluate current literature, prior needs assessments, and emerging best practices in survey research and veterans services; uses environmental scanning insights to inform project design, analytic decisions, and report development; provides guidance on data collection, analysis methods, and research procedures.

This is a TEMPORARY 100% grant-funded position with a performance period of January 12, 2026 May 31, 2026

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship and requires an onsite physical presence at the Ohio State main campus.

Salary range: $75,700 to $98,900. The salary for this position will be determined by internal equity, budget, and the candidates education and experience.

Please provide a cover letter with salary requirements and resume.

Required Qualifications:

Master's Degree or equivalent experience required; 5 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree, or 3 years of relevant experience required with Master's Degree.

• Degree in a relevant field (public policy, social sciences, public health, psychology, statistics, or related discipline), or equivalent experience.
• Relevant research experience, preferably in survey research, program evaluation, population health, or veterans-related work.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead research tasks on projects of large scope and complexity.
• Strong understanding of research methods, survey design, sampling approaches, and analytical techniques.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, Python) and data management.

Desired Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant field (public policy, social sciences, public health, psychology, statistics, or related discipline)