The USC Rossier School of Education seeks a post-doctoral fellow to contribute to and lead parts of a new research project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by USC Professor Morgan Polikoff. The project focuses on the implementation and effects of a technology-enhanced mathematics curriculum in a large, diverse Southern California school district. This fellowship will provide opportunities for the fellow to contribute to the project’s goals while developing a range of research skills. The fellow will participate in all project activities, including project administration, instrument design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. The fellow would also have time for independent and collaborative research. We seek a scholar with experience in experimental and quasi-experimental methods using student-level administrative data, but we expect that the work we conduct will be mixed-methods and that the scholar will participate in qualitative data collection and analysis as well.

The project is based at the USC Rossier School of Education, a leading educational research institution, located in Los Angeles, California. Applicants should have completed a doctoral degree in education policy, mathematics education, or a related field no later than June 1, 2025. This position is a full-time, two-year appointment, conditional on reappointment after one year.

This position's annual base salary range is $75,000-$85,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Applications should be submitted via usccarreers.usc.edu and should include the following:

• Resume

• A cover letter (Our system will allow you to add additional documentation by clicking the “upload” button in the same section where you attach your resume.)

Application review will begin February 15, 2025; the position start date is as early as April 1, 2025, and no later than July 1, 2025. 

This is a professional position responsible for supporting the agency’s progress toward its mission by assisting in the development and execution of the agency’s research agenda, evaluating the implementation and outcomes of agency programs, describing and analyzing agency data, and conducting and/or facilitating large-scale empirical research. The position will also support local education agencies to do the same and provide internal data analysis and research support for the agency’s offices and divisions to promote data- and evidence-driven decision-making.
 
Duties include:

• Access, collect, describe, and analyze data for use in decision-making by the agency and State Board of Education.
• Design and execute projects from the agency’s research agenda by developing research questions and appropriate study design/methodology.
• Coordinate with external research partners by evaluating external research requests.
• Write reviews of extant research on a variety of education-related topics.
• Evaluate research on educational programs, activities, and interventions to determine whether research meets standards of quality and rigor.
• Provide data and research to support initiatives run by the agency’s other offices and divisions.
• Conduct data collection, data analysis, empirical research, and/or program evaluations on behalf of or in collaboration with local education agencies.
• Provide training and technical support to local school systems such that they can conduct data collection, data analysis, empirical research, and/or program evaluations.

Senior Research Assistant (Quantitative)
 
Job no: 513113
Position type: Staff
Location: New York
Categories: Research, Hybrid
 
Posting Summary:
The Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, studies community colleges because they provide critical access to postsecondary education and are uniquely positioned to promote equity and social mobility in the United States. Our mission is to conduct research that helps these institutions strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.
 
CCRC is seeking a full-time Senior Research Assistant to support quantitative research on a range of projects related to access, success, and funding of postsecondary education, including projects related to socioeconomic mobility at the college-to-work transition. The position’s responsibilities include supporting senior staff, participating in data collection, management, and analysis, and assisting in the preparation of project-related reports, presentations, and publications. Candidates should have at least 1-2 years of experience working with large datasets, have a strong background in quantitative methods, and have demonstrated skills using data analytic tools such as Stata, Python, and R. Prior experience in project management is strongly desired.
 
The hybrid position may begin immediately and is based in New York City. Please find the application link at ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/employment and include a cover letter, resume, and coding and/or data dashboard sample with your application.
CCRC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that our diversity is essential to our success, and we aim to cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment where all employees are empowered to do their best work.
For information about CCRC’s current research activities, mission, and values, please visit ccrc.tc.columbia.edu.
 
Job Summary/Basic Function:
 
Data management, collection, and analysis
 
• Assist the research team in data collection activities
 
• Lead data cleaning and coding
 
• Write code in Stata, R, or Python to extract, transform, and clean data and construct variables for analysis
 
• Co-lead data analyses and diagnostics and communicate findings and recommendations to the research team
 
• Perform descriptive and causal inference analysis to extrapolate research finding
 
• Participate in developing project protocols/structures for data documentation, organization, and security
 
Research planning and management
 
• Co-lead aspects of the design of existing research projects
 
• Maintain records related to the progress of research and activities
 
• Assist with the organization and execution of research team meetings (e.g., draft agendas, organize formal note-taking and task-setting)
 
• Contribute to team meetings in substantive ways
 
• Independently respond to internal and external requests for information
 
• Participate in project updates for funders
 
Writing
 
• Draft and revise analytic memos and reports
 
• Contribute to the development of report storylines
 
• Co-author study reports and other written products
 
• Participate in the CCRC internal paper review process
 
• As requested, assist senior staff in proposal preparation
 
Dissemination and Public Relations
 
• Contribute to conference presentations, and present research findings at meetings and conferences under the supervision of senior project staff
 
CCRC service
 
• Participate in Center events and professional development activities
 
• As required, serve on working groups to support CCRC’s equity mission and other organizational priorities
 
Minimum Qualifications:
 
• Master’s degree in economics, public policy, education policy, statistics or equivalent degrees; or a bachelor’s degree in any of these areas and several years of relevant experience.
 
• Experience with working with large data sets and quantitative/statistical software
 
• Advanced proficiency with Stata, R, and Python, with a preference for Stata
 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
 
• Experience drafting and revising research papers and articles, either independently or as part of a team
 
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
 
• Track record of delivering high-quality work product under deadline
 
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and high level of attention to detail; flexibility to lead and manage multiple priorities, sometimes simultaneously, under deadlines
 
• Ability to be responsive to project demands and adapt quickly to changing priorities
 
• Good judgment, reliability, ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
 
Preferred Qualifications:
 
• Graduate-level coursework in economic policy or program evaluation
 
• Knowledge of community colleges, higher education, and issues of access to and success in postsecondary education
 
• Demonstrated experience creating data analytics and data visualization tools
 
We encourage you to apply even if you meet some, but not all, of the qualifications listed.
CCRC at Teachers College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. CCRC does not discriminate, and all qualified applications will receive consideration without regard to race; color; national origin; religion; creed; sex or gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression); sexual orientation; citizenship status; pregnancy; disability; age; military or veteran status; marital or partnership status; genetic information, genetic predisposition, or carrier status; prior unemployment status; consumer credit history; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Legal work authorization is required.
 
Salary Range:
$68,000-$80,000
 
Work Modality:
Hybrid
 
Competitive Compensation and Benefits
The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
 
Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
 
If you would like to request any disability related accommodations to complete the job application or to participate in the interview process, please email:oasid@tc.columbia.edu.
 
Hybrid/Remote
Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements, while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.
 
We will consider qualified candidates that reside beyond this radius based on the responsibilities and duties expected of the position. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity
Teachers College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community and to providing equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or gender expression), religion, creed, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
 
Advertised: Jan 13, 2025 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Feb 24, 2025 Eastern Standard Time
 
To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/5926259