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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

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

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.