Lead Research Associate at Westat
Rockville, MD
About the Job
Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Job Summary
Westat's Education Studies Practice is seeking a well-trained education researcher to contribute to research teams conducting evaluations of educational interventions. A strong candidate will have a doctoral degree in the social sciences and excellent quantitative, analytic, and communication skills. Researchers with a background or strong interest in special education are of particular interest.
The anticipated start date for this role is June 2025.
A hybrid work arrangement with 1-2 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered.
Job Responsibilities
• Conduct quantitative analyses to evaluate education policies and programs.
• Contribute to the design of research and evaluation studies.
• Communicate results to broad audiences including policymakers and practitioners through written and oral presentations.
• Contribute to proposals for new projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, state and local governments, foundations, and other funders.
• Collaborate with senior researchers, with latitude for independent action and decision-making.
• Mentoring junior staff.
Basic Qualifications
• Typically requires MA/MS in a social science field (e.g., economics, education, psychology, public policy, or sociology) with 2‐4 years of relevant experience, or a PhD and 1‐3 years of relevant experience. Doctoral degree may be completed or expected completion by June 2025.
• Dissertation on an education policy topic.
• Experience manipulating data and conducting advanced statistical analyses with software packages (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS, or Stata).
• US Citizenship is required by contract.
Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated quantitative and analytic skills.
• Knowledge of K-12 education research, data sets, policies, and programs.
• Strong interest or experience with special education research, policies, or programs.
• Ability to communicate complex technical material to non-technical audiences through written and oral communication.
• Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental designs.
• Ability to work well on interdisciplinary teams.
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers, and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Job Summary
Westat's Education Studies Practice is seeking a well-trained education researcher to contribute to research teams conducting evaluations of educational interventions. A strong candidate will have a doctoral degree in the social sciences and excellent quantitative, analytic, and communication skills. Researchers with a background or strong interest in special education are of particular interest.
The anticipated start date for this role is June 2025.
A hybrid work arrangement with 1-2 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered.
Job Responsibilities
• Conduct quantitative analyses to evaluate education policies and programs.
• Contribute to the design of research and evaluation studies.
• Communicate results to broad audiences including policymakers and practitioners through written and oral presentations.
• Contribute to proposals for new projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, state and local governments, foundations, and other funders.
• Collaborate with senior researchers, with latitude for independent action and decision-making.
• Mentoring junior staff.
Basic Qualifications
• Typically requires MA/MS in a social science field (e.g., economics, education, psychology, public policy, or sociology) with 2‐4 years of relevant experience, or a PhD and 1‐3 years of relevant experience. Doctoral degree may be completed or expected completion by June 2025.
• Dissertation on an education policy topic.
• Experience manipulating data and conducting advanced statistical analyses with software packages (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS, or Stata).
• US Citizenship is required by contract.
Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated quantitative and analytic skills.
• Knowledge of K-12 education research, data sets, policies, and programs.
• Strong interest or experience with special education research, policies, or programs.
• Ability to communicate complex technical material to non-technical audiences through written and oral communication.
• Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental designs.
• Ability to work well on interdisciplinary teams.
Other Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers, and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
- Sick Leave (10 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holiday)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
