Researcher

Ithaka S+R, a service of ITHAKA, is a non-profit research and consulting service that helps the academic and cultural communities serve the public good and navigate economic, technological, and demographic change. Team members in our Educational Transformation Program study and support the adoption and scaling of policies, practices, and innovations that improve student postsecondary access and success. Our growing team offers unique opportunities for your research skills and project management talent to play a vital role in shaping the national postsecondary educational landscape and improving the lives of students. Examples of our current projects include the American Talent Initiative; evaluations of data-informed student success interventions; equity-focused research on student debt; innovations in student and institutional financing of higher education; student veterans’ access and success; community college transfer; higher education in prisons; and state and federal education policy analysis. 

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit: 

• their resume;
• a detailed cover letter;
• 1-2 writing samples that demonstrate an understanding of issues in higher education access, affordability, and student success and also demonstrate facility in working with data.

The deadline to submit application requirements is 11:45 PM on November 18, 2024. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered on an as-needed basis.

The Role

ITHAKA is seeking an experienced Researcher to join our research and consulting group, Ithaka S+R. As part of our Educational Transformation Program, you will design and carry out qualitative and quantitative studies of promising initiatives in areas like technology-enhanced learning, student advising and support, and institutional organization and governance. We help partner organizations develop and implement evidence-based strategies that emerge from this research and we convene and build networks of partner organizations to help them learn from one another.

As a researcher, you will lead and contribute to research projects that assess the effectiveness of programs and interventions designed to improve student postsecondary access and success. These projects may include formative and summative evaluations of programs; policy analysis and evaluation; and mixed-methods research. The researcher will collect, organize, and analyze student- and institution-level data for multiple institutions, and recommend and manage data tools to share program insights across multiple stakeholders. The researcher will use insights from their work to inform the implementation of current and future initiatives, contribute to the knowledge base of the field, and influence postsecondary policies at multiple levels. 

This position will report to a Senior Researcher in the Educational Transformation Program within Ithaka S+R. Although ITHAKA has physical offices in New York and Ann Arbor, Michigan, our employees are distributed across the continental United States. 

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research projects, which may take the form of: 
• Designing a research plan and managing the logistical aspects of research efforts, such as collecting and maintaining data, arranging interviews, managing relationships, and utilizing survey management and data analysis tools.
• Conducting and synthesizing stakeholder interviews or focus groups and designing and administering surveys for multiple audiences.
• Designing and managing data collection processes across multiple partners; and conducting data analyses using descriptive and empirical methods, including quasi-experimental approaches.
• Using research insights to inform changes to program design, advising stakeholders about changes to implementation, and providing resources and tools to support partners and participants.

• Produce reports and communications: 
• Write emails, memos, and briefs to communicate concepts and processes to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Create compelling reports and presentations of research findings and recommendations. 
• Represent Ithaka S+R at conferences, networking events, and partner meetings.

• Manage complex projects: 
• Coordinate and track activities of numerous stakeholders across multiple institutions and keep team members, teams, and collaborators on track to meet deadlines. 
• Design tools and resources to effectively distill and act on information gathered through regular communication with stakeholders.
• Manage and mentor team members in the context of project work, with the potential to take on direct reports as the portfolio grows.

• Serve as a project leader and subject matter expert to internal and external audiences:
• Design and execute research and consulting projects that support the Educational Transformation Program’s mission, in consultation with senior leadership and colleagues at partner organizations, funders, and leaders of colleges and universities.
• Provide partners with evidence-based guidance on high-level and practical strategies for improving student access and success.
• Develop new project ideas and prepare proposals to secure project funding in consultation with the senior leadership and other team members. 

• Raise awareness of our work and collaborate on new project development:
• Develop solid relationships with internal and external partners and maintain awareness of major community issues that may affect our projects. 
• Organize and participate in brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and discuss strategy. 
• Represent Ithaka S+R at conferences, networking events, and partner meetings, with travel for these purposes and team retreats amounting to 5-10% 

Experience and Skills

Any combination of professional experience, volunteer work, coursework, and other transferable skills may be applied toward these qualifications. Candidates need not demonstrate all criteria to be considered for the role.

• Undergraduate or graduate training in a field that requires strong writing and research methods training or equivalent experience and skills.
• At least five years of professional work experience with demonstrated proficiency in the following areas:
• Contributing to projects that address major topics in higher education research, policy, and/or practice.
• Managing research and policy projects that involve applying descriptive and quantitative methods and using statistical analysis software (Stata preferred; SPSS, R, Python, SAS acceptable). 
• Experience designing and implementing formative evaluations or empirical research studies using causal inference methodologies (such as regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, randomized control trials, or propensity score matching). 
• Experience collecting and analyzing data using IPEDS and other student- and institution-level data sources such as national higher education surveys, state longitudinal education data systems, institutional data, or national population/labor market surveys. 
• Navigating complex relationships and stakeholder interests and making sense of ambiguity. 
• Translating complex concepts and research findings into compelling, accessible, and well-written reports and engaging presentations.
• Effectively supervising the work of others in the context of your projects. 
• Prioritizing and managing your own work, performing under pressure, and meeting deadlines while ensuring acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in our open, collaborative, and team-oriented culture.
• Commitment to our organizational values of belonging, evidence, speed, teamwork, and trust.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship 

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States.

Compensation & Benefits

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and equity. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary, so candidates know what to expect. The starting salary range for the Researcher position is $80,000-$90,000 per year. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At present, our total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer-paid 10% retirement contribution, paid parental and caregiver leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, up to 12 sick days, wellness benefits, and more. Please note that ITHAKA, at its discretion, may make changes to its benefits programs from time to time. #LI-JS11 #LI-REMOTE