Senior Associate Researcher (Project Management and Reporting)

Overview

The Equity Research Cooperative (EqRC) seeks a Senior Associate Researcher to manage our mixed-method research project lifecycles and produce high-quality deliverables that communicate findings to diverse audiences. 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 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.

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

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 (Project Management and Reporting) contributes to EqRC's research impact. This individual excels at managing the research project lifecycle and producing high-quality deliverables that communicate findings to diverse audiences. The Senior Associate Researcher will possess strong project management skills, a keen eye for detail, and a deep understanding of the research process, from conceptualization to dissemination. This role requires a collaborative spirit, a commitment to EqRC's mission, and a passion for translating research into action.

Responsibilities:

Project Management:

• Support and co-manage a portfolio of research projects, ensuring timely completion, budget adherence, and alignment with EqRC's research agenda.
• Must be able to manage the deliverable creation and completion process and manage a support team of staff and consultants.
• Track project activities, helping to keep the research team on track across data collection, analysis, and report writing, effectively delegating tasks, and overseeing contributions from research team members.
• Ensure adherence to research ethics and data privacy protocols throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project progress, regularly updating the Director of Research and other stakeholders.

Research Deliverables:

• Work with the research team to ensure they know how data analysis will be reported, including formats, timelines, and processes.
  • Position will support data collection and analysis across projects as needed.
• Lead the development, outlining, writing, designing, editing, and producing high-quality research deliverables, including reports, presentations, policy briefs, and other dissemination materials.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, concise, and accessible language for diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and visual appeal of all research deliverables.
• Collaborate with the organizational circle to ensure all research projects are highlighted on the website with compelling narratives, progress updates, and key findings.
• Represent EqRC with various audiences including but not limited to program officers, advocates, journalists, researchers (e.g., conference presentations), and the general public;

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 aim 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 multi-methods approach emphasizing an understanding of both quant and qual methods and methodology.
  • Preference for a multi-methods 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