Associate, Research Discovery & Design

About EAB

At EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.

At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employees by checking out our recent awards.

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EAB’s research programs offer strategic guidance at scale: we help education executives make progress on their most pressing issues. We support executives at client organizations to educate stakeholders, make research-informed decisions, and speed implementation of industry best practices. We are looking for a motivated and intellectually curious individual to join EAB Research’s Applied Insights team. Research Associates serve one of two focuses:

• K-12, in which associates respond to district leadership and head of school inquiries and investigate specific client questions on issues facing public and independent schools. Sample inquiries include topics like increasing equity in accelerated math pathways, full-day pre-K programs, and district program evaluation
• Higher education, in which associates answer incoming client inquiries across academic and business units. Sample inquiries include specific questions on international student services, how client’s websites or prospective student experience can be improved to achieve best practice, or how academic programs best align to student and regional needs.

Across K-12 and higher education, associates apply research skills, data analysis, AI tools, and EAB expertise to provide clients with research-backed guidance on institutional strategy and action. Associates are expected to go beyond compiling information to identify what matters, interpret its implications for the client’s circumstances, and help clients make better-informed decisions.

Associates’ work involves a balance of quick turnaround (e.g., one-week) and longer (e.g., six-week) research assignments, requiring a mix of qualitative and quantitative research as well as application of existing EAB research to individual client questions. 

This role is based in Washington, D.C., and we have embraced a hybrid work model with Associates coming into the office at least once per week.

• →Manage multiple processes and projects simultaneously, delivering excellent service and results on time
• →Produce a high volume of accurate, high-quality research deliverables that synthesize evidence into clear conclusions, implications, and recommendations consistent with EAB’s point of view and tailored to clients’ circumstances,
• →Leverage provided tools appropriately (e.g., Asana, Lightcast Analyst, ChatGPT, proprietary analytical programs); in particular, use AI-enabled tools while critically evaluating outputs, validating evidence, and applying independent judgment to final conclusions
• →Investigate specific client inquiries using EAB and secondary research sources as well as conducting primary research interviews
• →Participate in team meetings and meetings with other EAB staff to best answer client questions, connect clients to EAB experts, and drive impact at client institutions

Occasional travel, approximately 1-4 times per year, is required for this role. Travel may include attending conferences and conducting research directly on client institutions’ campuses.

• Bachelor’s Degree, with an excellent academic record
• Minimum of 3 months of work or internship experience
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication
• Experience with at least two of the following:
• Conducting primary and secondary research
• Writing in-depth reports in a professional setting
• Managing multiple projects with various deadlines
• Researching business issues

• Willingness and ability to travel 1-4 times per year
• Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspiration

• Demonstrated interest in higher education or K-12 education, as shown through coursework, research, or professional experience
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with senior executives, in both oral and written formats
• Experience with solution-focused problem solving
• Experience managing time and meeting deadlines across multiple priorities
• Experience using AI tools to improve the quality or efficiency of research, analysis, or written work, including demonstrated ability to evaluate AI-generated information critically and determine when independent research or judgment is required
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously
• Proven ability to take initiative on projects
• Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspiration.

If you’ve reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do! At EAB, we welcome new perspectives and learn from each other’s unique experiences. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.