Research Associate

Position Overview

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) seeks a Research Professional 6 to lead evaluation projects across a variety of contexts, with a primary focus on education and community settings but also extending to other areas. These projects serve non-profits, schools, higher education institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and faculty initiatives, while supporting the University's and CAREI's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Evaluator will design and implement evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches for both short- and long-term projects. Responsibilities include developing proposals and grant applications; creating evaluation plans, logic models, and theories of change; tailoring data collection instruments; and managing individual and team projects from start to finish. This includes analyzing large, complex data sets; producing reports and presentations; coordinating staff and consultants; and maintaining communications, timelines, and budgets. The Evaluator will also collaborate with clients to build evaluation capacity. The Evaluator's work will require designing and applying a range of evaluation frameworks and approaches-process, implementation, developmental, and outcome-focused-in response to partner needs, with a commitment to rigorous and impartial evaluation.

The ideal candidate will have extensive evaluation expertise and experience in PreK-12, higher education, and community-focused evaluation. Candidates should be detail-oriented, highly organized, and skilled in communication, grant writing, and proposal development. They must be able to work independently, make project-level decisions, and manage multiple simultaneous projects. The position reports to the Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to an offer. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Evaluation Implementation and Analysis (45%)

• Organize and Analyze Data: Organize, code, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources-such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations-to meet the evaluation's requirements and identify patterns, themes, and actionable findings.
• Perform Quantitative Data Analysis: Apply core and advanced statistical methods-including descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression-to accurately analyze quantitative data. Use statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) to manage and interpret complex datasets, ensuring valid, reliable, and insightful evaluation results.
• Summarize and Communicate Findings for Diverse Audiences: Summarize detailed literature reviews, evaluation plans, logic models, and findings from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches through written reports, executive summaries, and oral and visual presentations. Ensure that all communication of results is accurate, clear, and meaningful, and carefully tailored to the varied expertise and needs of diverse client audiences.
  

Project Management and Coordination (25%)

• Serve as Project Lead: Coordinate evaluation projects and support colleagues-including graduate students, Research Coordinators, and consultants. Provide guidance and feedback to foster effective collaboration and ensure timely progress.
• Monitor Project Implementation: Track research and evaluation plans according to established timelines, using a project management tool to ensure high-quality products and deliverables.
• Lead Multiple Initiatives: Manage multiple co-occurring research and evaluation projects, facilitating their planning and implementation.
• Manage Client Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for client communication, facilitating clear, consistent, and efficient documentation and information exchange.
• Manage Budgets and Resources: Allocate resources effectively to support project personnel and ensure tasks are aligned with budget constraints.
• Address Project Challenges: Proactively address and overcome project challenges while providing support and guidance to ensure continuous progress and success of evaluations.

Proposal Development and Evaluation Design (20%)

• Design Comprehensive Evaluation Proposals: Co-develop and write comprehensive evaluation proposals, including responses to RFPs and grant applications, for projects and clients ensuring alignment with their needs and accurate budgeting of necessary tasks, time, and resources.
• Integrate Equity as a Guiding Principle: Integrate principles of equity and inclusion into evaluation practices, prioritizing the voices of those most impacted by the evaluation process. Actively seek diverse perspectives to inform decision-making and address disparities in evaluation.
• Create Evaluation Plans for Diverse Organizations: Design evaluation plans, including questions, data collection and analysis methods, timelines and milestones, tailored to meet the unique needs of school districts, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and other community organizations.
• Develop Theories of Change and Logic Models: Co-develop Theories of Change and logic models for projects and use them to guide evaluation design and implementation.
• Develop Data Collection Instruments: Develop comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments, such as interview and focus group protocols, surveys, rating scales, and observation protocols, tailored to address the specific research/evaluation questions defined in the project.
• Conduct Literature Reviews and Integrate Findings: Perform systematic literature reviews (e.g., Covidence) and consolidate findings from multiple data sources in coherent ways to effectively inform evaluation processes.

Quality Assurance and Capacity Building (10%)

• Maintain Quality Assurance: Establish clear criteria for evaluation processes, develop procedures and protocols for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and implement rigorous quality-check processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity of data/findings.
• Build Evaluation Capacity: Enhance individuals' and organizations' abilities to conduct effective evaluations through training and support.
• Uphold Ethical Practices: Work with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and adhere to ethical guidelines throughout the evaluation process, including obtaining IRB approval and implementing measures to protect participant rights and confidentiality.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in evaluation, education, social sciences, or a related field, with demonstrated training and experience in research/evaluation design, implementation, and analysis, and a record of producing and communicating findings - including reports, briefs, publications - in response to partner or community need.
• Demonstrated experience leading and conducting evaluations in educational settings, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and/or community organizations.
• Background in conducting evaluations for community-based organizations and non-profit agencies, such as schools, school districts, higher education institutions, and community colleges.
• Proficiency in creating research and evaluation plans incorporating varying methods and applying those plans in real-world settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple collaborative projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated written (e.g., reports, grant proposals) and oral (e.g., presentations, meetings) communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience in using survey software platforms (Qualtrics preferred), Microsoft Excel and software packages for qualitative (NVivo preferred) and quantitative (e.g. SPSS) analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in conducting field-based research in local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools, using mixed approaches including quantitative and qualitative methodologies to evaluate systems, programs and policies.
• Familiarity with grant writing and funding acquisition processes, and ability to write strong proposals and secure funding for evaluation projects.
• Experience and commitment to anti-racism/oppression, culturally responsive approaches and practices, and integration of an equity lens across the evaluation life cycle.
• Excels in a fast-paced, multi-project work environment.
• Ability to make informed decisions to drive processes forward, maintain project momentum, and effectively achieve project goals.
• Experience with qualitative (e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis) and quantitative data analysis techniques.
• Proven ability to take initiative, working effectively in both independent and collaborative team environments.
• Skilled in managing complex challenges that may arise during any phase of the evaluation lifecycle.

Department Overview

CAREI is a well-established college-wide center that serves as the link between research and practice in Minnesota schools PreK-16 and other agencies interested in applied educational and social science research. CAREI's mission is to maximize wellbeing in schools, families, and communities. Our vision is to become the premier hub for making research accessible and actionable to ensure equitable outcomes. CAREI strives to accomplish this via the center's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, which states, "We are committed to tackling injustices and embracing diversity by continuously engaging with principles of equity, antiracism, cultural responsiveness, and intersectionality. We seek to learn about, live out, and promote these principles in our work with educational programs and systems as applied researchers, evaluators, trainers, and coaches."

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.
https://cehd.umn.edu

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $81,623.02 - $97,000.00. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

1. Please submit a list of evaluation projects you have worked on. For each project, indicate the title, year, a brief description of the evaluation and methodology (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods), and your role in the work (e.g., lead evaluator, co-evaluator, supporting team member).
2. Provide a sample evaluation report for which you were the primary author.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).