Quantitative Researcher for Special Education. Job in Chicago Move Collective Jobs

AIR is looking for a Quantitative Researcher for Special Education to join our Learning Supports program. In this role, you will play a vital part in our mission by providing both foundational and advanced analytical support across various project teams. You will manage end-to-end quantitative workflows, maintain reproducible analytic environments, oversee complex datasets, review the work of junior analysts, and lead both causal and non-causal inferential modeling tasks.

This position will be integral in expanding AIR's capabilities to analyze administrative datasets that address pressing special education policy questions. You'll help translate technical results into clear, actionable products for clients and stakeholders.

As part of AIR's Learning Supports program, which focuses on special education research, evaluation, and implementation support, you will contribute to creating rigorous evidence and practical tools that inform policy and practice. Our work aims to ensure early and equitable access to educational supports for children and families.

Candidates can work remotely or from one of our U.S. office locations, which excludes U.S. territories.

About AIR: Established in 1946 and based in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing significant challenges through behavioral and social science research. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions to improve lives and expand opportunities across the globe.

Responsibilities:

• Lead or contribute to the design and execution of rigorous special education policy research and evaluation projects.
• Utilize appropriate quantitative methods to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data.
• Develop, maintain, and document reproducible and collaborative analytic workflows, including data management and quality control procedures.
• Review and strengthen analytic code and outputs produced by staff; mentor junior analysts on best practices in analysis and documentation.
• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for client reports and presentations.
• Manage specific project tasks, including planning, tracking deliverables, and liaising with clients to maintain positive relationships.
• Engage with stakeholders 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 applied research experience.
• Proven experience in leading or supporting quantitative research or evaluation projects in the public sector, nonprofit, or education fields.
• Experience in cleaning and analyzing large administrative datasets from educational institutions.
• Skilled in designing and conducting inferential analyses, contributing to research reports, briefs, or presentations.
• Experience in managing analytic datasets, including documentation, quality control, and reproducible workflows.
• Familiarity with policy evaluation methods such as surveys and document reviews.
• Knowledge of special education policies and practices.

Skills:

• Strong quantitative and data analysis skills, including expertise with statistical tools such as Stata or R.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, emphasizing accuracy and adherence to research best practices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex analyses to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Disclosures: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. full-time, and employment-based visa sponsorship is not available. Candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements based on project work.

AIR is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration without discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. All selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks adhering to strict child safeguarding principles.

Accessibility Notice: For reasonable accommodations during the employment process due to physical or mental disabilities, please contact Taliba Boone.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning: AIR has noted individuals falsely representing the organization. All recruitment communications will originate from an '@air.org' email address. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a communication, reach out directly to AIR's recruitment department. Report any job scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Salary: Anticipated annual salary range is $92,700-$113,000 USD, based on internal and exte