Senior Researcher, Employment and Economic Opportunity (Part-Time)

AIR is seeking a Part-Time Senior Researcher to join our Employment and Economic Opportunity Program. The Senior Researcher provides technical support and manages research, operational, and analytic activities that support AIR’s NAEP Technical Support Contract. The role leads technical reviews across the assessment cycle, including reviews of assessment data, results, and technical documentation, and provides support for externally facing research, assessment, and partnership initiatives and business development opportunities. Engagements are typically project- or pursuit-based, part-time, and may vary in duration and hours depending on project needs.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• →Leading and conducting technical reviews of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data files, data companions, technical documentation, the Nation’s Report Card, and other NAEP products and publications on a cyclical basis.
• →Supporting the management of the NAEP Validity Panel through technical reviews and advisory support.
• →Supporting NAEP assessment systems activities, including attending systems update meetings; monitoring, documenting, and tracking bugs and known issues; participating in milestone and user acceptance testing reviews; and coordinating with project staff to identify and communicate systems-related issues.
• →Providing content expertise in support of NAEP Reading assessment content development, including reviewing items, passages, and related materials for content quality and alignment and providing feedback throughout development and review cycles.
• →Leading business development activities through proposal management and writing, market research, and capture planning. 

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Master’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience or PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep knowledge of NAEP content, procedures, and operations.
• Experience working with the Department of Education, including the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
• Experience reviewing national education reports for U.S. audiences.
• Experience collaborating and coordinating with the federal government to conduct assessments and surveys.
• Extensive knowledge in reading content and assessment systems and operations.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams on federally funded research projects.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills for working with stakeholders at various levels and from a range of backgrounds.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Strong project management skills, including timeline tracking, risk identification, and managing competing priorities.
• Self-motivated and reliable, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of complex tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication skills with a commitment to validity, clarity, and evidence-based messaging.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners in a virtual work environment. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.