Research Scientist 3

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees bring their energy, creative problem-solving skills to their work and are dedicated to building stronger minds and a healthier world. UW is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives, and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:

• Finance & Budget Strategy

• Institutional Analytics & Data Support

• Policy, Planning & State Operations

• University Business Services

As part of Finance, Planning & Budgeting (FPB), the Institutional Assessment & Evaluation (IAE ) unit at the University of Washington provides a variety of evaluation and assessment services to the University community and external agencies. Services include ongoing assistance to faculty and administrators in using assessment to improve teaching and learning, coordinating institution-wide course evaluations, and scoring classroom tests.

IAE research staff support institution-wide assessment of teaching and learning at UW by:

1. Consulting with UW faculty, administrators, and staff to improve assessment processes within academic and student support units

2. Carrying out applied quantitative and qualitative studies at the request of faculty and administrators

3. Conducting original research to advance teaching and learning at UW and beyond

4. Developing systems and applications that support essential assessment functions

5. Coordinating assessment efforts across UW academic and student support units

Additionally, program evaluation services are provided for both university and outside programs to inform program implementation, document progress towards program goals, and identify and measure program outcomes. These areas differ in their focus, but IAE research staff work collaboratively across all areas.

The Research Scientist 3 , as a member of the research and assessment team of IAE, will take primary responsibility for one or more specific projects while playing a supportive role for others. This individual is involved in all aspects of ongoing projects including identifying and defining research questions, developing overall research strategies, creating and administering surveys, creating protocols, conducting interviews and focus groups, and analyzing and reporting both quantitative and qualitative data. Project management is an important aspect of this position, including networking with potential clients, effective communication with existing clients, accurate estimation and monitoring of costs and researcher time, and documentation of project activities. This individual will also represent IAE to both internal and external clients.

Reporting to the Director of IAE, the Research Scientist has the following responsibilities:

Duties & Responsibilities:

The majority of the work for the Research Scientist involves conducting research projects for clients and the university, including the following duties:

Project Development

• Provide consultation services for projects or programs in early stages of development
• Identify problems and related technical issues, leading to long-term solutions; recommend technical approaches to meet sponsor or institutional needs
• Manage projects of moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals and objectives
• Develop opportunities for new projects and expansion of services
Maintain research relationships to identify opportunities and contribute to proposal development

Project Planning and Management

• Assist in developing research and evaluation study designs based on project goals, stakeholder needs, fiscal resources, and sponsor requirements
• Prepare supporting materials such as contracts, budgets, cost estimates, and invoices in conjunction with the director and office administrator
• Monitor and document staff time and fiscal resource use to ensure alignment with project plans and cost estimates
• Collaborate with other members of the research team to identify areas of shared responsibility and develop project management strategies
• Create, monitor, and implement effective research activity plans for tasks of moderate size and scope
• Complete Human Subjects Review paperwork
• Define and a) pull or b) request data extractions from UW student, fiscal, and employment databases

Project Implementation and Reporting

• Provide as-needed assistance for data collection activities such as survey administration, note-taking, and related tasks
• Build and manage data files for both simple and moderately complex analyses, including longitudinal and cross-project datasets
• Conduct statistical analyses using standard and moderately advanced quantitative and qualitative methods and assist in interpreting results
• Prepare written reports, technical documents, and oral presentations tailored to a variety of constituencies
• Contribute to proposals, publications, and presentations as author or co-author
Present findings to colleagues, stakeholders, and small groups

The Research Scientist will remain current on educational research/higher education trends and engage in administrative activities within IAE and the larger UW community, including:

Professional Development

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about relevant techniques, methods, and higher education research trends
• Engage in ongoing professional development including reviewing literature, attending workshops, and presenting at conferences
• Contribute to reports, proposals, and publications as author or co-author; may prepare papers for submission to scholarly journals
Participate in professional networks to share expertise and stay informed about new research opportunities

Team Responsibilities

• Organize work, both paper and electronic, to ensure accessibility by colleagues
• Attend bi-weekly research staff meetings and contribute to group discussions
• Participate in office activities including quarterly IAE staff meetings and monthly IADS and FPB All Division meetings
• Contribute to FPB and university-wide committees and task forces as assigned
• Maintain shared calendars and other collaborative tools to support project coordination
• Interact collaboratively with colleagues to accomplish organizational goals and contribute to positive working relationships
• Provide ideas to improve efficiency at the group and department levels

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise graduate research assistants or associates and provide mentorship to undergraduate students working on independent research projects
• Monitor the work of student employees or assistants and redirect efforts as needed to achieve project objectives
• Mentor students in the development of technical, research, and professional skills

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s in Education, Psychology, or another relevant social science field and four years of relevant experience
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, or registration

Additional Requirements

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and writing skills
• Demonstrated excellence in quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis skills, including expertise in multivariate statistics and survey design and administration
• Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA, SAS).
Proficiency with Qualtrics survey software or equivalent

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, or another relevant social science field
• Two to three years of experience in post-secondary research or assessment beyond the minimum requirements
• Doctorate degree in Education, Psychology, or another relevant social science field
• Three to five years of experience in post-secondary research or assessment beyond the minimum requirements
• Working knowledge of applied psychometrics and other measurement theories (e.g., item response theory)
• Proficiency utilizing transactional databases (e.g., SQL)
• College-level teaching or administrative experience
• Demonstrated deep understanding of higher education literature related to teaching and learning

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$72,288.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$93,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

UAW Research

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .