Senior Associate Researcher (Data Collection and Analysis)

Overview

The Equity Research Cooperative (EqRC) seeks a Senior Associate Researcher to lead and coordinate multi-project data collection and analysis efforts. EqRC is a rapidly growing organization seeking to establish and sustain a social justice research agenda, a praxis for redistribution, and an inclusive working environment. We recognize the unique experiences and perspectives that women of color bring, and we believe they are invaluable to our team's success, so we strongly encourage them to apply. We hope you’ll join us as we work to bring this dream to life.

EqRC is a fully remote organization without the option to work in person. This is a salaried position. The Senior Associate Researcher is expected to work 35 hours a week. The successful applicant will be detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, embody social justice research and a praxis approach, and value working in an organization with a flat leadership structure in a sociocracy setting. At the same time, we have intentional hierarchical dynamics within projects and processes to uplift expertise, seniority, and effectiveness. To succeed in our cooperative setting, an applicant must be open to learning and unlearning approaches to navigating emotional, value-driven, and interpersonal collaborations.

EqRC is committed to supporting the Senior Associate Researcher role in a manner that sustains and fulfills personal and professional objectives. This position will work collaboratively with the Director of Research in our Research Circle, which consists of three full-time employees, project consultants, and graduate and undergraduate fellows. In addition to this position, EqRC is hiring another Senior Associate Researcher, and the total full-time staff in Research Circle will be five researchers. Please note that EqRC is a small, growing organization, and all roles may have other duties assigned when unexpected situations and opportunities arise.

About the Organization

Mission

The Equity Research Cooperative (EqRC) is a non-profit research collective that advances the social, economic, educational, and political emancipation of communities of color through community-engaged research, advocacy, and the praxis of redistribution. As a People of Color interdisciplinary research cooperative, we strategically redistribute our financial resources, academic capital, and operational support to social justice initiatives, organizations, and movements that redress structural oppression.

Vision

We are guided by a deep and abiding freedom dream: one day Black and Brown communities will receive and experience dynamic reparative justice, and the depth and breadth of white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and capitalism will be addressed. On this day, Black and Brown communities will stand in the power of their sovereignty. We embrace this vision as a rich inheritance of social justice movements before us and the radical love we share with one another. This is our dream.

Structure

We have four circles (teams) that oversee our research, advocacy, grassroots redistribution, operations, and grant development. Organizational Circle leads EqRC's operational, HR, and financial processes. Strategy Circle drives our grant-securing strategy, financial and technical assistance redistribution to grassroots partners, and special projects for the organization. Research Circle manages several projects from medium to large size that include mixed-method data collection and analysis, relationship management with external partners, management of project consultants, and the reporting of deliverables (e.g., reports and presentations). Central Circle has a rotating representative from each of the above circles, and together, they develop, propose, and approve policies and processes that govern EqRC and its personnel. Please note that EqRC is a small growing organization, and all roles may have other duties as assigned when unexpected situations and opportunities arise.

About the Role

EqRC is the research partner for several grant projects addressing inequities for students of color and low-income students in postsecondary outcomes. We also have our Justice Agenda, which explores free college and student debt cancellation policies using grassroots coalitions and mixed-method data collection. Most of our projects include quantitative and qualitative data, primary and secondary data analysis, site visits, robust deliverables, and deep engagement with external partners. While we currently focus on the higher education system, we aim to expand to other areas beyond education.

The Senior Associate Researcher of Data Collection and Analysis will play a crucial role in designing, conducting, and managing mixed-methods research projects that involve extensive data collection and analysis. This role requires a strong understanding of research methodologies, advanced analytical skills, and the ability to translate data into meaningful insights. The Senior Associate Researcher will collaborate with other researchers, project managers, and stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of research initiatives. The role has the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate, manage, and execute projects per the determined project timeline. Must be able to manage 4-5 projects and manage a support team of staff and consultants.
• Design and implement research projects, including developing data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups), recruitment and sampling strategies, and data analysis plans.
• Conduct data collection activities, ensuring the quality and integrity of data.
• Interpret and synthesize data to prepare findings so they are reporting-ready, defined as meaningful takeaways, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Develop materials (e.g., reports, briefs, presentations, etc.) for grant deliverables.
• Represent EqRC with various audiences, including but not limited to program officers, advocates, journalists, researchers (e.g., conference presentations), and the general public;
• Present to technical and non-technical audiences and colleagues by explaining complex data simply.
• Stay abreast of current research methodologies and best data collection and analysis practices.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Frequent interactions with funders and partners require a deep understanding of project progress, key findings, and data analysis to share compelling takeaways.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals and grant applications.

Qualifications and Experience

• Support EqRC’s mission and vision
• One must have deep understandings of racial and socioeconomic equity and how inequities manifest in the higher education system. Our research projects focus on the higher education system and we have a goal to expand into other areas beyond education. This role, however, requires expertise in educational transformation.
• 5+ years of experience conducting research and/or evaluations using a mixed methods approach emphasizing an understanding of both quant and qual methods and methodology.
  • Preference for a multi-method researcher
  • One does not need to be an expert in both qualitative and quantitative methods but must show evidence of designing, managing, interpreting, and reporting research studies using both data forms.
• 3+ more years of experience leading a team, training staff, and/or major project leadership (desired)
• Must demonstrate high-quality writing with critical analysis that reflects the structural and contextual dynamics enabling or limiting justice solutions for communities of color.
• Willingness and capacity to lead a team with care and compassion (required)
• A note on degree requirements: At EqRC, we understand that many individuals do not have equitable access to and support for degree attainment within higher education institutions. We also understand that the skills and dispositions we desire in a candidate might be developed outside of college or university training. As such, we invite you to share in your materials and interview how your experiences, formal training (e.g., degrees, certificates, etc.), and/or informal education have allowed you to develop expertise aligned with the job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We strongly encourage applicants who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to apply for consideration, as well as women, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and applicants from other marginalized backgrounds.

Please note that all U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card); individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program; Indigenous individuals exercising rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794; individuals granted Temporary Protected Status; asylees; and refugees, regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation are eligible to apply for consideration.

Equitable Cooperative Approach

Our justice-centered approach aims to address long-standing gender and racial income and wealth disparities and give workers decision-making power over their compensation and benefits.

• Every full-time employee starts at $95k/year with a 2% annual raise (non-negotiable).
  • 10% retirement contribution, no vesting, no matching required.
  • Monthly $80 stipend for wifi and cell phone
    • The total compensation for the above items is about $105,000.
  • EqRC pays 100% of health insurance premiums for full-time employees and dependents.
  • A 10% raise follows a new employee's election as a cooperative member based on high performance in their role and the broader organization.
  • Start-up technology (laptop) and office package ($500 stipend).
  • Annual $2500 professional development budget
  • 12 weeks of paid parental and medical leave
  • Life and long-term disability insurance
• Fully remote work with two annual in-person retreats and site visits determined by projects.
• Unlimited PTO policy
• Designated organization-wide ‘break’ periods and mental health days (e.g., two weeks in July, two weeks in December)
• Democratic leadership structure where staff determines the future/direction of the organization from new projects, policies, compensation changes, and hiring/dismissal.
• Eligible PSLF employer