Associate Director of Research

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Research at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University will oversee and develop the analytical work for a portfolio of research projects, contribute to the broader strategic vision of projects, and assure the quality of analytic products. 

The Associate Director of Research will primarily work on the States Leading States (SLS) Initiative, which partners with state education agencies to evaluate the impact of their policy initiatives and spread effective policies to other states. This position will report to CEPR’s States Leading States Senior Director and will work closely with the Director of Research who oversees the analytic team.

The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (CEPR) seeks to transform education through quality research and evidence. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. By generating relevant and accessible research, developing technical and organizational capacity to use evidence, and creating a community of schools and systems dedicated to using evidence for progress, CEPR helps researchers and practitioners uncover and share the best of what works—and what doesn’t—in education. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversee and develop a portfolio of analytic research projects across the research life cycle, including the establishment of research questions, design of the study, grant writing, collection of data, analysis, and writing of reports and academic papers. 
• Lead a team of faculty and researchers in developing education research projects to study causal effects using randomized control trials or quasi-experimental designs, to create data diagnostics or dashboards, or to develop analytic tools and processes. Analyses will target salient and actionable questions developed in collaboration with state education agencies.
• Hire and supervise research managers and research analysts for projects, coach fellows, and lead workshops. 
• Provide technical training to analysts and fellows on research methods and the selection of appropriate statistical methods. 
• Work with project PIs and directors to help manage analytic portion of budget, write grant reports, and set the project’s vision.
• Working closely with principal investigators, help develop ideas and strategies for new projects, including identifying funding sources, designing the research, and writing grant proposals. 
• Manage the successful execution of SLS research projects by developing work plans, meeting key project deadlines, and coordinating work for current and future CEPR projects.
• Build trusting, professional relationships with internal collaborators, including data administration staff, program staff, and principal investigators.
• Effectively engage with external collaborators, including state education agency leadership, to provide timely updates regarding the status of identified research topics and ensure that the research needs of these topics are met. 
• Ensure the quality and reproducibility of the research by designing rigorous studies, using appropriate statistical models and tests, reviewing output, and developing protocols for documenting and checking analytic work.
• Perform complex statistical programming as needed.
• Effectively communicate findings to a wide array of technical and non-technical audiences. Disseminate findings through meetings and conferences. Contribute to and create research reports and academic publications.