Senior Research Associate

About Clarity Social Research Group:

Clarity Social Research Group (Clarity) was founded in 2012 and grew from prior experiences in research and non-profit consulting that left us wanting for greater impact on issues of social justice and equity. We are a small woman-of-color-owned consulting boutique, dedicated to uplifting vulnerable voices seldom heard and contributing to upstream, broad-based, inclusive, and community-supportive efforts. Led by founder and CEO Penelope Huang, PhD, Clarity draws from a close network of fellow consultants who share broad and deep experience working with government agencies, foundations, non-profit, and community-based organizations in program evaluation, needs assessment, community engagement, strategic planning, and organizational change to improve outcomes for all.

We support purpose-driven organizations to amplify their impact in creating and sustaining social change in the service of equity and justice. Current areas of practice include early childhood education, K-12, community schools, out-of-school time, workplace culture/climate, organizational change, youth development, aging and elderly support, mental health services, drug court, and more.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY: Clarity is committed to social justice and equity by uplifting voices least heard and amplifying the impact of service sector agencies and organizations dedicated to addressing historical, systemic, institutional, and structural inequities that perpetuate disparate health and social outcomes. Clarity developed out of a wanting for greater impact than was possible in more traditional evaluation firms. By partnering with like-minded researchers and evaluation professionals similarly committed to racial and social equity, we provide support to each other and to the communities we work in to begin to correct those systemic wrongs to build towards the equity we all deserve for our shared, more just future. We are also advocates and organizers experienced in using evidence to inform policy and systems change. All of our work is guided by these principles:

• Our work is rooted in and guided by community voice, as community members know what’s best for them. We listen to and co-create solutions in community.
• Our work is inclusive and equitable. We will always ask, “who is missing?” We don’t have all the answers, but together, we get closer to more truths.
• Our work is evidence-based. Our approach is data-driven and we learn and adapt from best practices and from our own lessons learned along the way.

Job summary:

The Senior Research Associate is a primary executor and project manager on 3-6 projects at any time, managing projects with budgets of roughly $40-200k each, with some management support. This role is expected to be largely independent.

The Senior Associate collaborates with fellow staff and external contractors to implement projects and produce high-quality deliverables on time. Nearly all of our work involves a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods and relies on sharp analysis and collaborative communications and people skills. This role will use independent decision-making skills and will manage projects from start to finish, with management support.

The Senior Associate will occasionally manage some contractors and/or junior staff, as appropriate per project needs, delegating work and managing projects and workloads assigned. The person in this role must be a self-starter, comfortable with leading client meetings and collaborating with clients and fellow staff to execute projects to high-quality standards.

Essential functions:

• Designing and implementing evaluation research
• Developing a data collection and analysis strategy
• Managing implementation of data collection/analysis strategies
• Tools selection and design
• Secondary data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Designing and facilitating community engagement processes
• Entry, management, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data
• Preparing reports of findings, presentation slide decks, research briefs, executive summaries, and other collateral reporting media, as needed
• Working knowledge of online collaboration tools (e.g., Google drive, docs, sheets, slides, Miro, Mural, etc.)
• Managing client relationships
• Travel occasionally to conduct site visits, attend client meetings, and/or present at conferences
• Project management and using project management software (e.g., Asana)
• Commitment to and execution of Clarity’s mission, vision, and values

Supervisory responsibilities:

Co-management of projects, junior staff, and external contractors assigned to projects, with oversight and guidance from senior management.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated proficiencies in:

• Research design (including sampling theory, a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, etc.)
• Program evaluation (including developing a theory of change, logic model, using RBA or other evaluative frameworks)
• Strategic planning and process facilitation
• Human-centered design principles
• Conducting community-based research
• Research in one or more of our current content areas of practice: early childhood education, k-12, organizational change, youth development, workforce development, aging and elderly support, mental and/or behavioral health services, drug court.
• Using data to develop action steps and policy recommendations
• Working with clients collaboratively in decision-making and providing guidance
• Working with diverse communities and stakeholders in a research capacity
• Creative and expert community engagement methods, approaches (i.e., focus groups, interviews, town halls, pop-ups, intercepts, other)
• Meticulous writing skills that accurately and effectively communicate complex data analysis findings to varied audiences
• Working independently to manage multiple priorities and deadlines and complete assigned tasks within budget.
• Working collaboratively, professionally and productively within a team context. Our ideal candidate will look forward to building mutually supportive relationships with internal staff, our partner consultant contractors, and our clients.

Bonus points for:

• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin written and oral language skills
• Working familiarity with statistical software tools (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS, STATA, Excel, etc.)
• Working familiarity with qualitative analytical software tools (e.g., Dedoose, Atlas.ti, NVivo, CoLoop, etc.)
• Working knowledge of how to use artificial intelligence software in a responsible, ethical manner to enhance work products

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or similar field required; higher-level degree strongly preferred. Relevant work experience and/or training may substitute for educational credentials
• At least 4 years of program evaluation and/or social science research experience demonstrating accomplishment in essential functions listed above
• Independent consulting experience preferred
• Reliable transportation with clean DMV record
• Ability to work on a team and independently
• Commitment to learning
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice and ability to implement project work that centers this commitment

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• The Senior Associate’s role may require walking, talking, standing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, repetitive motions, and visual acuity
  • As such requirements are described as Medium Work (exerting up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects)
• Short/Long-distance local/domestic travel as needed – not to exceed 15% of work time, on average
• Must be based in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and able to travel to occasional site visits, data gathering opportunities, and meetings in the greater Bay Area
• Proof of current Covid-19 vaccination within the past 12 months
• We are currently unable to sponsor visa applications. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

What the Senior Associate will gain from this position:

• Extensive interaction with mission-driven organizations across the Bay Area and beyond.
• Opportunities to build skills in project management, client management, producing deliverables, systems change, collective impact, and community building.
• Opportunity to shape the culture, mission, values, and goals of a small woman-owned organization.
• Working with people who love what they do and are committed visionaries using their powers for good.

Compensation and Perks:

The base hourly range for this position is $44-$54 (equivalent to a full-time annualized salary range of $91,520-$112,320), depending on experience and qualifications. Weekly hours are variable, dependent on project workload and staff availability, with a minimum of 20 hours a week, to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Our work culture is supportive of work-life balance and we offer benefits that include but are not limited to the following:

• Open door policy with direct access to senior management
• Independent and entrepreneurial workstyle that allows employees to heavily impact business and organizational culture
• Company goes dark the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Flexible work schedule and remote work options available, with limitations
• 401k retirement plan
• Home office/technology stipend of $500 annually
• Professional development opportunities of up to $2,000 annually
• Discretionary end-of-year bonus

Clarity Social Research Group embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

The above description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions and duties as required for the job and shall not be construed as an exhaustive task list of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job. The job description is subject to change and additional responsibilities may be assigned depending on operational needs.

To apply for this position, please submit a letter of interest and resume with at least 3 references to:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8535715/Senior-Research-Associate-Search-2025

We will review all applications submitted through 31 October 2025 and on a rolling, as-needed basis after that.

• Open door policy with direct access to senior management
• Independent and entrepreneurial workstyle that allows employees to heavily impact business and organizational culture
• Company goes dark the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Flexible work schedule and remote work options available, with limitations
• 401k retirement plan
• Health insurance plan
• Home office/technology stipend of $500 annually
• Professional development opportunities of up to $2,000 annually
• Discretionary end-of-year bonus

Meticulous writing skills that accurately and effectively communicate complex data analysis findings to varied audiences is a necessary part of this job.

Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin written and oral language skills is a plus!