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Research Area Specialist Associate

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please upload your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references as one document. We will only contact references who are finalists for the position. The cover letter should address your fit for the position related to your experience and education.

Job Summary

This position will be part of a 4-year, $3.1 million grant, Career Development Opportunities in Florida's Leon County Schools. The position is primarily to support the quantitative research components of the project, and will also support with project management.

The project, currently in its first year, starts with a comprehensive examination of a midsize public school district's approach to career development. Researchers are conducting a deep exploration of career development opportunities (including career and technical education, or CTE, courses) at a district level, undertaking mixed methods research to examine how schools and district leaders make decisions about their program offerings, how key stakeholders (e.g., students, parents, teachers, counselors, school leaders, and community and workforce leaders) consider the goals of career development opportunities and their strengths and weaknesses. The research team will also explore how stakeholders think about program quality and the experiences of students as they prepare to transition to their post-high school lives. Researchers will examine participation and outcomes of specific career development programs, including CTE course taking and dual enrollment. After learning more about the needs of the district in this exploratory research, the research team will identify a single program that is either new or can be scaled-up. The research team will partner with district stakeholders to implement this intervention, and will conduct an impact study of the intervention over a three-year period.

The position will have the opportunity work in a mixed methods research team with a wide range of expertise, with key personnel including Dr. Walter Ecton at the University of Michigan, who is the lead PI, and Dr. Stacey Rutledge, Dr. Christine Mokher, and Dr. Erica Harbatkin, all at Florida State University. This project is part of a broader network of research teams. Applicants can see more information about the network here: https://cteresearchnetwork.org/research .

This project is for a 1-year term, with the possibility of renewing for an additional year. The project is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, and the position is subject to continued funding. This position can be based either in Ann Arbor, Michigan or remotely.

Responsibilities*

The primary responsibilities for this position include supporting the quantitative analysis components of the study; leading analysis on specific projects, cleaning data, collaborating with team members on manuscripts, reports, policy briefs and other publications, and presenting findings in national and/or state conferences and other settings. It is anticipated that there will be multiple co-authorship opportunities. The position will also help support graduate student research assistants and support the Principal Investigator with program management activities (for example, preparation of annual reports to key stakeholders and funders).

Required Qualifications*

PhD or EdD

Desired Qualifications*

Successful applicants will have advanced quantitative training, an earned doctorate in education or a related field (public policy, sociology, economics, political science, etc.), and strong writing and oral presentation skills. Applicants should also have strong experience using Stata and ideally working with administrative data.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit before Thursday, June 12th for priority consideration, though we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

263944

Working Title

Research Area Specialist Associate

Job Title

Research Area Specialist Assoc

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

School Education

Department

MARSAL EDUC - CSHPE

Posting Begin/End Date

5/21/2025 - 6/12/2025

Salary

$70,000.00 - $70,000.00

Career Interest

Research