Overview Join AIR as a Senior Researcher with AIR's Education Systems & Policy (ESP) team and be involved in our longstanding legacy of providing rigorous, impartial evidence-based research and resources on pressing and perennial education issues. AIR's ESP team studies and supports organizations and infrastructure at the local, state, and national levels focusing on the people who operate PK-12 education systems to improve the organization of schooling and advance the organizations within those systems. Our team is driven by our mission to make the world a better, more equitable place through education. This position will be based in one of the five REL Southwest states (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas) and may work remotely or from AIR's office in Austin, Texas. About AIR: Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world. AIR's commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone's unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here. Responsibilities The Senior Researcher will provide project leadership for several major contract and grant research projects. In this role, the Senior Researcher is responsible for conceptualizing the vision for this work, providing support for project teams in developing and carrying out the work, following sound project management practices to ensure the timely completion of all deliverables within budget, and with high quality research standards that meet client requirements. This position is ideal for someone who has experience partnering with state or local education agencies. The responsibilities for the position include: * Collaborating with the REL Southwest leadership team to design and carry out a scope of work that meets partner and funder goals. * Managing teams carrying out projects, including monitoring timelines and timeliness of deliverable, surfacing problems, and supporting teams with solutions. * Mentoring staff to support growth in their ability to design and lead applied research or technical assistance projects. * Overseeing the quality and technical rigor of deliverables and products. * Representing the project to internal and external audiences. * Leading proposal efforts and maintaining excellent business development relationships. * Overseeing the planning, design, and implementation of research or technical assistance projects. * Serving as an expert in the field and disseminating findings through publication of papers, progress and technical reports, and conference presentations. * Curating external relationships and visibility by engaging thought leaders, innovators, and implementation partners across preK-postsecondary education. Qualifications Education, Knowledge, and Experience: * PhD with 3 years of relevant experience or master's degree with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. * Experience managing research and evaluation projects for external clients. * Experience with the analysis of large-scale data sets, and experimental and quasi-experimental designs. * Experience effectively leading and mentoring diverse teams of researchers working on research-focused projects and/or tasks within large/complex projects, including managing for work excellence, timeliness, and on-budget execution. * Experience leading proposals, budgeting, and project management activities. Skills: * Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills. * Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing. * Proven ability to develop staff capacity in research design and methods; project management; client and partner relationships; and business development. * Commitment to AIR's mission to conduct and apply the best behavioral and social science research and evaluation towards improving people's lives, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged. * Certified in the WWC Procedures and Standards Version 5.0 (group design) or be certified within 6 months of starting the position. * Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds. Disclosures: This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Upon hire, incumbent will be required to obtain clearance through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR's Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $118,000 - $140,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org" domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.