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Qualitative Research Associate

🔍 graduate school of education, stanford, california, united states.

Who We Are:

The Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a top ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 350 students, 200 staff, 14,000 alumni and countless people from the local and global communities making a difference in the field of education. The work is dynamic, fast-paced, and energetic.

What You’ll Bring:

The John Gardner Center in the Graduate School of Education seeks a Qualitative Research Associate to be responsible for conducting qualitative research with an emphasis on policy-relevant and actionable topic areas. The Researcher will lead and contribute to qualitative research: they will assist community partners in formulating research questions and conducting community driven studies resulting in policy briefs and other products focused on topics related to youth development and education. The candidate will also lead and contribute to qualitative research projects, conducting formative assessments of community-based programs, including data collection, coding, analysis and writing reports and briefs. For all research and analyses, the incumbent will present research findings to community partners and other stakeholders on a regular basis. They will supervise graduate level research assistants and potentially some staff; work collaboratively with other Gardner Center staff; and report to the Executive Director.

What You’ll Do:

Work in partnership with community entities to design and conduct policy-relevant research related to youth development in a community setting:

• Collaborate with Gardner Center staff and community partners to identify key research needs in the community and design and carry out research that responds to these. 
• Design research projects that respond to community questions and needs using a variety of tools, including the JGC’s Youth Data Archive); youth and adult surveys; secondary data analysis; and qualitative data collection and analyses.
• Conduct primary research and produce written products and presentations that are appropriate for community audiences and parallel materials that inform academic debates and audiences.

Conduct Qualitative Research and Other Analyses:

• Design studies in conjunction with the community and other partners. 
• Collect data using a variety of qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, observations).
• Contribute to data cleaning, verification and documentation.
• Contribute to discussions about coding and analysis schemes.  Code data and conduct analyses.

Write, Present and Otherwise Communicate Research Findings to a Wide Range of Stakeholders and Entities:

• Write reports and briefs of findings for partners and broader academic field.
• Write and present academic articles, issue briefs, summaries, conference paper and other products to a variety of audiences.
• Meet with partners on an ongoing basis to review and evolve analyses.
• Work with Gardner Center Communications team on additional communications opportunities for analyses, including newspaper articles, blogs, panel discussions and more.

Participate actively as a collaborative member of the Gardner Center team, and connect the Gardner Center to the greater Stanford community and the broader research field:

• Attend regular staff meetings and retreats.
• Supervise graduate students and junior staff on specific projects.
• Where appropriate, contribute to grant development and report writing.
• Assist the Center in developing processes, tools, and products to enhance the future direction of the Center.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not  designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this position, you will bring :

• Advanced degree and five years of relevant experience in area of specialization or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans. Experience developing program partnerships and funding sources.
• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
• Advanced oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
• Ability to oversee and direct staff.
• Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.

Education and Experience Preferred:   A doctorate (or equivalent) in a relevant field (education, public policy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or related field) is required as is capacity to oversee graduate students as they design, carry out, and write about their research projects. 

Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis is required.  Demonstrated experience with designing qualitative studies is required, as is proficiency with data analysis software such as NVIVO. Excellent oral, analytic, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required; writing as demonstrated in the candidate’s own writing and publications is essential.  Ability to write for multiple audiences, including policy makers and practitioners, is preferred. The candidate must have strong interpersonal and collaboration skills in working with researchers and practitioners as well as organizational skills that demonstrate their ability to handle multiple tasks, timelines and priorities in a team environment.  Familiarity with California K-12 education context, and English language learners is preferred.  This may be substituted with familiarity with juvenile justice, mental health or foster care systems or a related youth policy issue. Familiarity with school enrichment and youth development programs, such as after-school programs is a plus.

The expected pay range for this position is $113,000 to $120,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

We provide market competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our unique perks align with what matters to you:

• Freedom to grow. As one of the greatest intellectual hubs in the world, take advantage of development programs, tuition reimbursement plus $800 you receive annually towards skill-building classes, or audit a Stanford course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
• A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
• A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums. Create an avatar and participate in virtual reality adventures or join one with fellow staff on Stanford vacations!
• Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computing, cell phones, outdoor recreation, travel, entertainment, and more! We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.  

How to Apply

The John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities invites you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply Online” link. Please submit an online application, resume, and cover letter.

• Finalist must successfully complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University. 
• This is a fixed-term position with an end date of one year and is renewable based on performance and funding.
• Applicants to this position must be available to work in the United States without sponsorship for 2 years or more.

Consistent with obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with any disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Stanford is an equal opportunity employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or another other characteristic protected by law.  

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4113
• Employee Status: Fixed-Term
• Requisition ID: 100027
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible

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