Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Public Policy Research Institute

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Glimpse of the Job

Are you passionate about research and eager to contribute to our projects? Join our team in the Public Policy Research Institute department as a Research Associate! In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with Principal Investigators to conduct research initiatives, including program evaluations and survey research. In this role, you’ll be responsible for research activities, developing surveys, collecting data, conducting focus groups and interviews. Additionally, you will be performing literature reviews, managing databases and records, analyzing data, and creating comprehensive reports. Within this role, you’ll be able to support publishing and proposal efforts, ensuring our research reaches a wide audience. If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge in support of our research projects, we encourage you to apply and be part of our team!

Opportunities to Contribute

• Assist PI with project activities, including planning and organizing stakeholder meetings.
• Prepare and present information to stakeholders.
• Facilitate site visits, focus groups, interviews, and other data collection activities.
• Coordinate activities between project teams, external parties, and stakeholders.
• Organize, manage, supervise, and monitor tasks to meet deadlines.
• Respond to participant information requests and communicate with sponsors, clients, and project teams to determine needs and requirements.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with departmental and project protocols.
• Clearly explain and communicate research, analysis, and program information to audiences through presentations and written or oral communications.
• Assist with analytical and data management tasks, including database management and maintaining project records and documentation.
• Perform data analysis for routine reporting, management activities, and special information needs within the scope of the contract.
• Create summary graphics for reports and presentations.
• Write, edit, and format reports for submission to project sponsors and stakeholders.
• Support publication and dissemination tasks.
• Assist Principal Investigator with research activities, including attending meetings, data collection, project planning, and maintaining project databases.
• Perform basic to intermediate research, such as literature reviews, internet research, phone inquiries, preparing presentations, and providing analytical support.
• Provide proposal development support.
• Collaborate with research teams to support departmental project needs as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field (criminal justice, political science, public health, economics, education, statistics).
• Two years of relevant professional experience.

A well-qualified candidate will also possess

• Master’s degree in social sciences, public health, or education.
• Experience in social science research, including program evaluation, focus groups, interviews, surveys, data collection, data management, and public policy.
• Proficient in communication, presenting information, writing, and publishing.
• Experience in developing grant proposals and coordinating with external sponsors.
• Ability to multi-task, work cooperatively with others, and travel across the state with overnight stays for site visits, focus groups, training, meetings, and conferences.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected hire’s education and experience.

Special Note: This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

What You Need to Do

Apply! Submit a resume/cv and cover letter. These documents will help us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Established by the Texas State Legislature in 1983 at Texas A&M University, the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) serves as a leading interdisciplinary government and social policy research organization. Since inception, PPRI has secured external research contracts totaling $140 million for providing scientific research and evaluative services to more than 90 public and private sponsors engaged in formulating public policy.  We invite you to explore our website to learn more. https://ppri.tamu.edu/

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume’ or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.