Research Analyst

Work Location

Philadelphia PA (Remote-first with in-person responsibilities must be within commuting distance to Philadelphia and able to work in person at least one day per week)

The Opportunity

Research For Action (RFA) is looking for a quantitative or mixed-methods education researcher to join our team at the Research Analyst level. The Research Analyst serves a critical role in research and evaluation project execution and support across several projects simultaneously. With moderate supervision Research Analysts engage in basic to intermediate complex data collection management and preparation and conduct data analysis and interpretation/write-up. Research Analysts also provide project management support and can take ownership of distinct slices of project work and see them through to timely completion. They actively contribute to the improvement of projects and their deliverables as well as to organizational processes and culture at large. Research Analysts serve as informal mentors to Research Assistants the junior-level position and may supervise project interns. This position offers an opportunity to develop expertise in research skills and competencies across research and evaluation methodologies including advanced statistical analyses program evaluation and qualitative research activities. The person in this position must be based in or within commuting distance of Philadelphia for weekly in-office work and conducting fieldwork for our robust Philadelphia-based projects.

About Research for Action

RFA is an independent non-profit educational research organization with a mission to conduct research evaluation and capacity-building projects that yield empirical insights and aligned actions to catalyze the advancement of a just education system. For over 30 years we have conducted research and developed partnerships to strengthen public schools and postsecondary institutions; provided research-based recommendations to policymakers practitioners and the public at the local state and national levels; and explored responsive community-informed approaches that advance equity in public education.

RFAs portfolio of local and national research evaluation and policy studies spans critical topics related to advancing equity for students families and communities across the education pipeline. Some of our recent and current projects examine teacher diversity and Black teacher attrition; the impact of statewide developmental education reform on community colleges; large-scale program impact evaluations in K-12 relational disciplinary practices performing arts integration in middle school teacher pedagogical practice support for refugee families as they transition to public schools in the US. A focus on and commitment to community engagement is a defining component of RFAs research enterprise.

RFA recently completed a strategic planning process to further establish its mission vision and values and chart its theory of action for impact. Team members who join RFA have the opportunity to contribute to some organizational change initiatives and new systems integration as well as to implement the ways in which RFA promotes racial equity and social justice through culturally responsive and community-informed educational projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducts basic-to-moderately complex data collection preparation management and analysis tasks for mixed methods research studies.
• Synthesizes findings produces basic visuals in R Stata Excel Canva and other platforms and generates internal analytic memos with coherent results with moderate direction and feedback.
• Supports the application of culturally responsive and community informed research approaches.
• Stays informed about emerging research methodologies theories and current events related to racial equity and social justice in education. Actively builds and grows their mixed-methods research skillset and embraces a growth mindset approach.
• Manages own plate of work across projects and supports project activities utilizing project management software.
• May supervise an intern providing them with mentoring coaching and support.
• Participates in and demonstrates investment in the success of RFA research community engagement and intra-organizational activities.
• Complies with all RFA procedures and applicable Federal State and local regulations.

Qualifications

RFA considers any combination of professional experience internships volunteer work coursework and other transferable skills as qualifications. Candidates need not demonstrate all the criteria to be considered for the role.

• Educational background in relevant social science field (e.g. sociology economics political science education) with coursework in research methods and data management and statistical analysis; coursework in qualitative data collection and analysis a plus.
• 1-3 years of research or evaluation experience in applied research settings including in person and virtual data collection and analysis secondary data analysis or a combination of education and other applicable professional experience.
• Demonstrated passion for equitable education and interest in growing mixed methods applied and actionable education research skills through on-the-job exposure.
• Dedication to RFAs mission and demonstrated understanding of core concepts pertaining to Racial Equity Social Justice Systems Change and critical approaches to research.
• Dedication to our teams community-informed and equity-focused practices in design data collection analysis and reporting. Demonstrated interest in culturally responsive and community informed research approaches. Experience with critical race approaches to research (e.g. QuantCrit) is a plus.
• Ability to conduct basic to moderately complex quantitative dataset cleaning conduct basic descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (e.g. t-tests ANOVA single and multiple regression) with moderate levels of independence and strong desire to grow additional research design skills and techniques. Strong qualitative cleaning coding and analysis a plus.
• Experience with a statistical software package (e.g. Stata (preferred) SPSS SAS or R) and willingness and ability to learn Stata. Experience with programming languages (e.g. Python or JavaScript) and with programming surveys in Qualtrics are a plus.
• Ability to support qualitative data collection transcription coding and analysis including conducting interviews and thematic interpretation with moderate supervision.
• Willingness and ability to increase skillsets in qualitative coding informed use of AIand analysis; Experience with a qualitative software package (e.g. Dedoose NVivo) is a plus.
• Demonstration of strong organizational and interpersonal skills to support team members to contribute constructively to organizational change efforts as well as project management and the documentation of research processes and products.
• Proven ability to clearly synthesize findings from qualitative and quantitative data in written form and write draft methods and findings sections for research reports.
• Computer skills: The ability to use a computer and associated technology programs including the Microsoft Office Suite video conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom and Microsoft Teams) ClickUp work management software and other software used for research and/or collaboration is .
• Willingness to travel locally and nationally to support in-person fieldwork.

Other Requirements

• The Research Analyst position is a full-time position. A location in Philadelphia or within a reasonable commuting distance to RFAs Philadelphia office is required. This position may require episodic project-related U.S. travel.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• Physical work environment: RFA operates in a remote-first work model. Remote-first work is primarily completed remotely in a home office setting with at least one day per week in an office setting for proximal staff defined as individuals (including all Research Analysts) residing within a 50-mile radius of Philadelphia and whose positions are not designated as remote.
• While performing the duties of this position walking sitting standing climbing stairs and lifting and/or moving objects up to 10 pounds is required.
• Virtual work environment: While performing the duties of this position in the virtual setting the ability to use verbal and non-verbal communication skills to foster and maintain engagement including listening speaking and appearing on camera is required.
• Health and safety: All employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 consistent with CDC guidelines. This position may be asked to mask while on fieldwork in accordance with specific COVID mitigation measures and facility guidelines.
• This position may occasionally require nights and weekends (e.g. site visits conference attendance organizational events).

Work for RFA

Culture:

RFA is a nimble team-based diverse organization with staff that have a wide range of expertise and experience in various educational settings and research areas. Our staff members strive to engage in continuous self-reflection to support each other and serve partners and communities with an orientation toward social justice. We are seeking individuals interested in implementing the organizations direction who embrace continual growth and change and who are excited to critically engage with issues of social and racial justice. RFA welcomes applications from people of all underrepresented backgrounds and credentials.

Salary and benefits:

The salary range for this full-time position is $55000-65000 annually. Base pay is dependent on job-related knowledge skills experience and geography. RFAs total compensation package includes a low-cost to the employee health dental and vision insurance program flex spending plans an employer funded retirement plan after two years of service and a generous paid holidays and time off program for all benefits-eligible staff.

How to apply:

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis with initial interviews scheduled as of mid-June until the position is filled with an anticipated start date on or after Sept 3 2025.

Complete an application online with the following documents:

A resume or CV with relevant work experience and coursework (e.g. methods statistics data analytics etc.)

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex national origin gender identity sexual orientation age religion domestic violence victim status veteran status disability history of disability or perceived disability or other status protected by law. For questions about this position please contact Alison Murawski at .