Special Education Quantitative Researcher

AIR is seeking a Special Education Quantitative Researcher to join the Learning Supports program and provide foundational and advanced analytic support across multiple project teams. The Quantitative Researcher will take ownership of end-to-end quantitative workflows- setting up and maintaining reproducible analytic environments, managing and quality-checking complex datasets, reviewing and strengthening junior analysts' code, and leading inferential modeling tasks spanning both causal (e.g., experimental and quasi-experimental designs) and non-causal (e.g., descriptive, predictive, and explanatory) analyses. The Quantitative Researcher will support other special education policy research activities such as survey development and analysis. The role will help expand AIR's capacity to analyze administrative datasets to answer special education policy-relevant research questions, while translating technical results into clear, decision-relevant products for clients and stakeholders.

The Quantitative Researcher will join AIR’s Learning Supports program, which conducts special education research, evaluation, and implementation support for federal and state agencies, school districts, and foundations. The program produces rigorous evidence and practical tools to inform policy and practice, helping ensure early and equitable access to learning and the supports children and families need to succeed.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

• Lead or contribute to the design and execution of rigorous special education policy research and evaluation projects.

• Apply appropriate quantitative methods to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data.

• Develop, maintain, and document reproducible and collaborative analytic workflows, including data management processes and quality control procedures.

• Review, quality‑check, and strengthen analytic code and outputs produced by staff; provide guidance and mentorship to promote best practices in analysis and documentation.

• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for client reports, technical memos, and presentations.

• Manage discrete project tasks or project components, including planning timelines, tracking deliverables, and liaising with clients while maintaining positive and collaborative relationships.

• Engage with stakeholders and partners through meetings, briefings, and dissemination activities.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Special Education, Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Education, Public Health, Human Development, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology), or a master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant applied research experience.

• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading quantitative research or evaluation projects, preferably for public-sector, nonprofit, or education-focused clients.

• Experience cleaning and analyzing large administrative datasets from education entities.

• Experience designing and executing inferential analyses and contributing to research reports, briefs, or presentations.

• Experience managing and maintaining analytic datasets, including documentation, quality control, and reproducible workflows.

• Experience with other policy evaluation methods such as surveys and document reviews.

• Knowledge of special education policies and practices.

Skills

• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills, including experience with statistical and data tools such as Stata or R.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to accuracy and research best practices.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex analyses for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Disclosures: 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 for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] call 202.403.5000.

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AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range
$92,700—$113,000 USD