Education Research Assistant (Remote - NYC Area Preferred)

Applicants are required to provide BOTH a resume and cover letter

About Us:
Metis Associates is a national consulting firm based in New York City that delivers highly customized research, evaluation, and grant writing services. We have over four decades of experience providing data-informed solutions across the social service sector, specializing in public education. We support our clients’ missions and pridefully build their capacity with our knowledge, skills, and technical expertise.

Benefits include 401(k), 401(k) matching, dental insurance, health insurance, vision insurance, flexible schedule, paid time off, all-employee gainsharing

Overview:

Metis Associates is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant to join our team. This is an entry-level research position well-suited for individuals looking to build foundational skills in applied research related to education and family and child wellness. The Research Assistant will work closely with senior research staff across a variety of client projects, contributing to qualitative and quantitative research activities under the guidance and mentorship of experienced colleagues.

Key Responsibilities:

Qualitative Research

• Assist with the development of research protocols with guidance from senior staff
• Conduct interviews and focus groups with populations such as youth, students, and parents
• Assist with site visits and field observations
• Apply basic qualitative coding techniques to research data
• Conduct literature reviews and produce written synthesis of ideas across sources

Quantitative Research

• Track weekly survey counts and assist with programming basic online surveys
• Research existing surveys with high levels of validity and reliability for use in addressing project needs
• Conduct basic data manipulation in SPSS (e.g., recoding, creating new variables)
• Run and interpret basic descriptive statistics (e.g., crosstabs, frequencies, means) in SPSS with guidance
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail when reviewing and interpreting data outputs

Communication & Technology

• Contribute to written client deliverables following established outlines and structures, with editorial support
• Assist with preparing presentation materials under the direction of senior staff
• Communicate professionally with colleagues and clients
• Use core technology tools including Microsoft Word, Excel, and SurveyMonkey to support project work
• Create data visualizations with support and feedback

Project & Client Support

• Manage 1-2 smaller, less complex projects with guidance
• Attend and take notes during client project meetings
• Interact with clients in a professional, helpful, and service-oriented manner
• Complete deliverables on time and with high quality
• Support research on potential clients aligned with the organization's target areas

Professionalism & Teamwork

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and consistently meet deadlines without sacrificing quality
• Prioritize tasks and manage workload
• Maintain a positive, collaborative attitude and show genuine enthusiasm for the work
• Contribute ideas during team meetings and support colleagues with tasks and projects when needed
• Build effective rapport with team members and clients
• Be proactive and seek out opportunities for professional growth and take on challenging tasks
• Demonstrate accountability, dependability, and a strong work ethic

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social science, education, public policy, or a related field
• Minimum of 1-2 years of work experience in a research or evaluation setting (preferably education- or health-focused)
• New York City area resident strongly preferred
• Foundational knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with tools such as SPSS, Qualtrics, or Canva is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Eagerness to learn and grow within a professional research setting
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred but not required

Working Conditions

This position operates under a high degree of guidance and supervision. The Research Assistant is expected to develop core research competencies over time with the support of senior colleagues, with increasing independence as skills are demonstrated. This is a fully remote position however we strongly prefer candidates based in New York City to staff quarterly site visits. Occasional travel is also required for site visits, conferences, and in-person company meetings.

Applicants are required to provide BOTH a resume and cover letter.

Metis Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Remote