Research Assistant (Temporary)

MISSION

Children need to spend their most critical years with dedicated, educated, trained, and well-compensated individuals in order to thrive. The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute leads the work to establish and implement an early childhood workforce system to ensure funding, standards and competencies, career development resources, qualifications and credentials, professional development (training and strengths-based coaching), and program quality assurance and improvement for individuals who work with young children throughout New York. Housed at the City University of New York, the Institute is a fast-paced, dynamic public/private partnership that is committed to the early childhood workforce across New York State.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Institute is looking for a part-time and temporary Research Assistant to support a research project on the early childhood teacher preparation landscape in New York State. The Institute’s Research Assistant will collaborate with the Research Associate and Data Analyst and report to the Director of Research and Evaluation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Literature Review

• Perform literature reviews to identify related theories and frameworks
• Maintain organized databases of references and citations using tools

Survey and Interview Management

• Assist in the design and development of survey instruments
• Coordinate survey distribution across online platforms
• Monitor response rates and implement strategies to maximize participation
• Manage survey data collection, entry, and storage
• Schedule, organize, and conduct interviews with participants
• Develop interview guides and protocols aligned with research objectives

Data Analysis

• Perform quantitative (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata, or Excel) and qualitative (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA) data analysis
• Apply thematic coding and content analysis to interview transcripts, focus groups, or open-ended survey responses
• Generate descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and regression models to interpret survey results
• Identify patterns, themes, and insights
• Prepare visualizations (charts, graphs, tables) to communicate findings effectively

Reporting

• Draft research summaries, interim memos, reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences
• Maintain organized databases of references and citations using tools

Project Management and Communication

• Maintain, and update the project management master document, including timelines, and other critical information
• Coordinate meeting materials, meeting announcements, and key meeting resources
• Collaborate with the project team and stakeholders to refine project methodologies and interpret findings
• Communicate effectively and professionally with stakeholders and participants

Other

• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, social policy, psychology, or related field preferred
• Research experience (qualitative and quantitative)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong, demonstrated analytical skills
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders including colleagues and external partners
• Excellent organization and management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Strong technical skills including a high level of competency with social media
• Ability to work with respect and sensitivity to a diverse staff and client base
• Strong work ethic, high degree of professionalism, and personal integrity with an understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality, safeguard information, and handle documents with sensitivity

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent
• Proficiency in a second language