Senior Researcher, Employment and Economic Opportunity – Part-Time

American Institutes for Research

. Provide technical support and manage research, operational, and analytic activities supporting AIR’s NAEP Technical Support Contract.

Posted 11/5/2026part-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $57 - $64 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in NAEP content, procedures, and operations, with strong project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams on federally funded research projects. Effective communication and relationship management skills are essential for collaborating with stakeholders and external partners.

Highest-signal resume keywords

NAEP Content ExpertiseProject Management SkillsExperience With Department Of EducationTechnical Review LeadershipInterpersonal Relationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Assessment Data AnalysisTechnical Documentation ReviewCyclical Technical ReviewsUser Acceptance TestingProposal ManagementMarket ResearchCapture PlanningReading Content DevelopmentData Companion ReviewMilestone Tracking

Soft Skills

Attention To DetailSelf-MotivatedEffective CommunicationCollaborationRelationship Management

Certifications & Qualifications

Master's DegreePhD

Industry Keywords

NAEPNational Center For Education StatisticsFederal Government CollaborationEducation AssessmentChild Safeguarding Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide technical support and manage research, operational, and analytic activities supporting AIR’s NAEP Technical Support Contract.
Lead technical reviews across the assessment cycle, including assessment data, results, and technical documentation.
Support externally facing research, assessment, partnership initiatives, and business development opportunities.
Lead and conduct cyclical technical reviews of NAEP data files, data companions, technical documentation, the Nation’s Report Card, and other NAEP products and publications.
Support management of the NAEP Validity Panel through technical reviews and advisory support.
Support NAEP assessment systems activities, including update meetings, bug and known-issue tracking, milestone reviews, and user acceptance testing.
Coordinate with project staff to identify and communicate systems-related issues.
Provide content expertise for NAEP Reading assessment content development by reviewing items, passages, and related materials.
Lead business development through proposal management and writing, market research, and capture planning.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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.
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.
Qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements depending on project work.
Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.
Selected candidates must adhere to AIR’s child safeguarding standards and principles.

Benefits

Comp & perks

AIR’s Total Rewards Program
Equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer
Reasonable accommodations during the employment process
Reference and background checks
Drug-free work environment