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Senior Research Associate

Employer
Virginia Commonwealth University
Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Jan 16, 2025


Senior Research Associate

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here .

Job Code 19132
Recruitment Pool All Applicants
Posting Number req6768
Unit L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs
Department Research Institute for Social Equity, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Department Website Link https://rise.vcu.edu/
Location VCU
Address 700 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities

Summary:

The Research Institute on Social Equity (RISE) at the Center for Public Policy (CPP) in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is searching for a Senior Research Associate with a strong background and interest in public policy and equity to work closely with the Director, Senior Research Associates, research team, and clients. The Senior Research Associate will support and advance equity-focused research projects working closely with the Director. This role involves conceptualizing studies, establishing research goals, designing and executing studies, managing data processing and analysis, and implementing research methodologies to address public policy equity issues. The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for upholding rigorous research standards, conducting literature reviews, contributing to grant proposal development, and drafting research papers and presentations for conferences. This position requires strong research skills, with duties carried out in alignment with the strategic goals of the institute.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu .

Typical Duties

1. Conducting Equity Based Research:

· Work with the project team to conduct research and data collection for all research needs.

· Reach out to marginalized communities to conduct informational interviews and data collection.

· Analysis qualitative and quantitative data.

· Report writing.

· Creation of data reports for various clients and constituents.

· Work collaboratively with RISE and CPP staff to advance the mission of RISE.

· Keep current on equity trends and appropriate theories of change, methods reaching marginalized communities, publications, and initiatives.

· Other duties as assigned.

2. Project Management:

· Represent RISE at meetings when appropriate.

· Supervise graduate students on the projects.

· Represent the RISE at VCU and external events to promote the RISE mission.

· Review and work on all RISE related project proposals as assigned.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

· Doctoral Degree and three year of applied research experience.

· Experience with grant writing, securing funding, and managing research budgets

· Equity based research experience.

· Awareness of best practices in equity research, public policy and working with underserved communities.

· Advanced methodological skills including proficiency in new or emerging research techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

· PhD and three years of relevant experience conducting equity-based research, or an equivalent combination of professional skills and/or experience.

· Expected to manage multiple projects while simultaneously directly managing all aspects of the project life cycles.

· Demonstrated ability to design implement and analyze research studies independently including proficiency with design, sampling techniques, and data analysis.

· High degree of personal ownership and accountability to consistently deliver results and prioritize work in a fast paced and high-profile environment.

· Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations.

· Excellent presentation skills and confidence speaking in a variety of public settings.

· Strong written and verbal skills with the ability to relate to varying audiences.

· Ability to think critically, creatively, and strategically.

· Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines in a self-directed manner.

· Ability to embrace change and to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities, programs, and projects.

· Availability to work non-traditional hours on program and event days.

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements


Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):

· Light lifting (<20 lbs.)

· Pushing/pulling

· Standing

· Sitting

· Emotional Demands (Essential):

· Fast pace/Average pace

· Multiple stimuli

· Frequent change

· Intense customer interaction

Mental/Sensory Demands (Essential):

· Memory

· Reading

· Reasoning

· Hearing

· Logic

· Analyzing

· Verbal communication

· Written Communication

Application Submission/Other Information


All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning February 14, 2025 .

" Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability".

FLSA University Employee
Job FTE 100
Exemption Status Exempt
Restricted Position No
E-Class UF - University Employee FT
Job Category University Employee
ORP Eligible No
Salary Range $70,000 - $78,000
Compensation Type Salaried
Target Hire Date 3/10/2025
Contact Information for Candidates

Jenn Reid
jguyre@vcu.edu
804-827-0459

Documents Needed to Apply

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