RESEARCH SPECIALIST II in MU Thrive

Lead researcher, in strategy and design, instrumentation, data collection, coding, analysis, interpretation, dissemination, and publication. 

Research Specialist II responsibilities include co-leading Thrive research projects, cleaning, coding, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; writing literature reviews and scholarly articles for presentation at national conference and for publication; preparing data reports; developing research strategies; designing instruments used in data collection and annual program evaluation of Thrive communities of practice; supporting and guiding work assigned to research fellows.

• Candidate must prove competent in quantitative research. 
• Candidates are required to have direct research experience.
• Candidates with social science backgrounds and experience in promoting equity as bridge-builders in STEM, will be prioritized for interviews.

The RSII must also support Thrive during event-based activities, assist Thrive in researching on-going funding opportunities, and co-writing grants, drafting assigned portions of annual reports, co-drafting news releases and media PSAs, disseminating email campaigns and community announcements to invested Thrive research communities and stakeholders, on-campus professional development of aspiring student researchers and faculty.

Key Responsibilities:

§  Co-creates research projects, co-designs methods and instruments, and co-writes articles and literature reviews

§  Organizes incoming/collected data and supervises cleaning processes

§  Manages statistical analysis and checks the data ahead of interpretation

§  Manages Thrive’s research archive to ensure easy access; updates website with research-related artifacts, grants, or reports

§  Attends/leads Thrive educational workshops

§  Advises participants in Learning Communities on their research strategies and research projects

§  Attends/leads Thrive educational workshops

May fulfill technology-related tasks, such as platform updates for on-demand and digital course management

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

§  quantitative social sciences research

§  qualitative social sciences research

§  academic writing

§  facilitating professional development for graduate students and/or faculty

§  tech and organizational support

§  knowledge of theories, frameworks, practices, and procedures within the Research function

§  at ease with autonomy, possesses excellent organizational skills, and maintains an unwavering attention to detail on all tasks 

§  an adaptive mindset and responsive manner of communication.

devotion to the values of Thrive; committed to promoting equity in STEM.