Research Associate II

Posting Summary:

The Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, studies community colleges because they provide critical access to postsecondary education and are uniquely positioned to promote equity and social mobility in the United States. Our mission is to conduct research that helps these institutions strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.

CCRC conducts its work in partnership with states and institutions across the U.S. and actively disseminates its research to policymakers, practitioners, and other audiences interested in community colleges and higher education reform. We offer a collaborative work environment in a university setting that includes robust communications and grants management teams, access to rich administrative data sets, and skilled graduate students who are preparing for careers in higher education research and teaching.
CCRC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that our diversity is essential to our success, and we aim to cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment where all employees are empowered to do their best work. For information about CCRC’s current research activities, mission, and values, please visit ccrc.tc.columbia.edu.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

CCRC is seeking a Research Associate II to conduct quantitative analysis with a goal of catalyzing and informing student success reforms and advancing educational and economic opportunity for community college students. The Research Associate will work collaboratively on mixed-methods teams with applied researchers working closely with community college leaders and state agencies to build knowledge and tools to support the field of reformers aiming to improve outcomes for community college students. Using quantitative methodologies (e.g., data mining, descriptive analysis, econometrics, and causal inference), the successful candidate will conduct analyses, develop, and co-author highly-visible publications and data tools that will be broadly disseminated and adapted by partner organizations that coach and train the next generation of college leaders.

The Research Associate should have a master’s degree or doctoral training and several years of relevant work experience. We are looking for skilled programmers with expertise in Stata, R, Python, and Tableau, as well as prior experience working with large-scale administrative data in related areas such as policy and academic research, data management, data science, analytics, or data visualization.

The position is based in New York City and will require some travel. Flexible start date in spring 2026. Please find the application link at ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/employment, and with your application, please include a cover letter, resume or CV, and one artifact demonstrating relevant skills or experience (e.g., code sample, webpage/Tableau visualization, writing sample as lead or sole author).

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research planning & management

• Co-lead the implementation of key aspects of existing research projects on community college reforms, including drafting tasks and timelines, and responsibility for study components or sub-projects.
• Co-lead the conceptualization of research frameworks and design for new studies.
• Supports survey design, drafts and pilots instruments, and develops sampling strategies \Organizes and co-leads project meetings in a senior and substantive capacity; leads sub-group or smaller project meetings
• Reviews and comments on research-related documents prepared by junior staff (study prospectuses, fieldwork guidelines, protocols, IRB applications)
• Contributes to updates for funders

Data collection, management, & analysis

• Leads data collection activities.
• Leads data analysis activities, including managing teams of junior researchers conducting data management and analysis.
• Leads data analysis process, leads data cleaning and coding, and uses software to manage and analyze data for descriptive, quasi-experimental, and causal inference studies.
• Extrapolates findings from the data analysis, ensures that study findings are well-supported by the data analysis, and develops implementations and recommendations based on the findings.
• Co-leads drafting and execution of data agreements, data-sharing activities, and the development and implementation of team-wide systems for secure data organization and management

Writing & dissemination

• Identifies key findings and report storylines
• Drafts and revises analytic memos
• Serves as the lead or co-author on research reports, articles, or other products for CCRC and external (journal) publications
• Reviews research papers from within and outside of CCRC
• Presents research findings at academic and practitioner meetings and conferences
• Represents CCRC at speaking engagements, events, and meetings with external stakeholders, including funders
• Responds to external inquiries from the press, researchers, and the general public

Other

• Advises students and junior researchers on research methodology and related research issues.
• Co-author proposals and grant writing to secure new funding
• Participates in CCRC events and professional development activities
• As requested, serve on working groups to support CCRC's mission and/or other organizational priorities

Minimum Qualifications:

• A.B.D. in economics, higher education, sociology, or a related social sciences field OR Master's degree in economics, higher education, sociology, or a related social sciences field PLUS 4-6 years of relevant coursework and experience.
• Advanced proficiency with statistical and data management software (including Stata or R, and Python), and excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, macros), and experience with data visualization (e.g Tableau).
• Experience drafting and revising research papers and articles, either independently or as part of a team
• Advanced coursework, training, and experience in causal inference and program evaluation, including quasi-experimental methods (DiD, IV, RDD), experimental design/analysis
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Track record of delivering high-quality work product under deadline
• Good judgment, reliability, ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to CCRC’s mission of conducting applied research to support community colleges and success and equity for their students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in economics, higher education, sociology, or a related social sciences field
• Knowledge of community colleges, higher education, and issues of access, success, and equity in postsecondary education
• Experience managing and working with large administrative and/or relational databases (e.g., student data from K12 schools or postsecondary institutions) and experience in survey research, including instrument design, sampling, and data cleaning/integration.

Salary Range:

$88,500-$100,000

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors, including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate, as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (a combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.