Research Associate for the Understanding Michigans Literacy Policy research project

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How to Apply

To apply for this position, please upload your resume and cover letter as one document.

Your application packet should include:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter addressing your interests and qualifications specific to this role

Job Summary

The Understanding Michigan's Literacy Policy research project at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to a large-scale, mixed-methods study examining the implementation of Michigan's literacy and dyslexia legislation. The study investigates how districts, schools, literacy coaches, and K-5 teachers interpret and implement state literacy policy, with particular attention to the systems, organizational conditions, and practices that support evidence-based literacy instruction and increased student outcomes.

The research includes two components:

• statewide surveys of superintendents, principals, literacy coaches, and elementary teachers; and
• comparative mixed-methods case studies of three Michigan school districts.

The Research Associate will work collaboratively with the Principal Investigators and the research team to support instrument development, data collection, quantitative and qualitative data management and analysis, and dissemination of findings. The position also involves substantial project management responsibilities, including coordinating research activities across multiple institutions and school districts, managing timelines and deliverables, participant recruitment, supporting graduate research assistants, and establishing and maintaining communication with research partners.

Responsibilities*

Research Design and Implementation

• Coordinate the administration of statewide surveys, including survey programming, testing, recruitment, distribution, and response rate monitoring
• Contribute to the development of surveys, interview protocols, observation instruments, and coding frameworks for comparative case studies
• Coordinate data collection activities, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, literacy coaching and classroom observations, and the collection of student outcome data
• Participate in writing reports to communicate findings to a range of policy, practitioner, and researcher audiences.

Data Management and Analysis

• Work with the Principal Investigators to manage, organize, and clean data
• Support survey data analysis.
• Support qualitative coding and thematic analysis of interviews, observations, and documents
• Contribute to the integration of quantitative and qualitative findings, including within-case and cross-case comparisons

Project Management and Coordination

• Coordinate meetings and communication between the Principal Investigators, research team members, graduate research assistants, and external research partners
• Support participant recruitment and maintain communication between participating districts, schools, literacy coaches, and teachers
• Coordinate the work of graduate research assistants, including assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and supporting completion

Required Qualifications*

• Minimum of PhD in education, educational psychology, or a closely related field, with a focus on language and literacy education
• Strong knowledge of literacy education and evidence-based literacy instruction
• 2 or more years of postdoctoral research experience
• 2 or more years of experience managing an interdisciplinary team involving multiple research partners and institutions
• Experience programming and administrating surveys using Qualtrics
• Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative analysis, including statistical software such as R, Stata, or SPSS
• Strong analytical, organizational, oral and written communication, and project management skills
• Ability to both work independently and as a successful team member

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience working with school districts, schools, educators, or state education agencies
• Experience coordinating research activities and collaborating with graduate research assistants or multidisciplinary research teams
• Knowledge of educational policy implementation or educational improvement

Modes of Work

This is a hybrid position. The Research Associate will be expected to be on campus as needed for meetings and events and will also be expected to travel to participating schools and districts throughout Michigan to support in-person data collection

Additional Information

Salary range: 70,000 - 85,000 FTR (The posted salary reflects a 40-hour-per-week appointment and will be prorated for a reduced schedule. The project can support 75%-100% effort depending on the preference of the selected candidate.)

Term limit: This is a two-year grant-funded position ending September 30, 2028.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.