Research Associate

The Maine Math & Science Alliance (MMSA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that finds inspiring new ways to get people excited about science, technology, engineering and math today, so that our youth can become the innovators and workforce of tomorrow. MMSA supports educators to teach science, technology, engineering and math in more meaningful ways by:

• Developing professional development experiences for K-12 educators
• Conducting research and evaluation of STEM learning experiences
• Building relationships and networks to sustain systemic statewide improvement

MMSA offers a work culture that is very team oriented, welcomes a mix of working-from-home and from-the-office work schedules, and is rooted in the belief that high quality professional development and programming can influence the future of our state. MMSA staff includes some of the best talent in STEM education, including researchers and curriculum specialists. We offer an excellent compensation package that includes vacation and sick time, 401(k) plans and more.

Position Title: Research Associate

FTE: 100%

Immediate Supervisor: Scott Byrd

Salary Range: $40,000-$50,000 depending on experience

Qualifications:

Required:

• BA/BS in any field is required
• Demonstrated ability to manage and manipulate databases and spreadsheets
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analyses
• Capacity to listen carefully and ask clarifying questions
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to think analytically and with attention to detail
• Capable of working independently and remotely
• Ability to work with project management software such as Microsoft Excel and Word; cloud-based systems such as Google Drive and airtable; and video-conferencing applications such as Zoom
• Preference given to individuals with experience in statistical and qualitative analysis software (i.e. SPSS, Nvivo, Gephi, Kumu)
• Preference given to individuals with experience in environmental and/or STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education

Purpose of the position:

The Research Associate will work closely with the Teach ME Outside and WeatherBlur teams, in addition to other research and evaluation projects as needed across MMSA's work in STEM education. Teach ME Outside supports and works in partnership with Maine communities to ensure that all Maine youth have access to powerful, hands-on environmental learning opportunities. Building on the results of the 2019 Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning, this initiative focuses on reducing barriers and sharing creative community-designed solutions to increase schools' and organizations' ability to implement community-based environmental learning (CBEL). The WeatherBlur citizen science program builds collaboration online and on-the-ground between youth, their local communities, and scientists as they design and lead scientific investigations about the natural world around them to answer community questions.

The Research Associate will support these projects as an essential team member. This person will provide support to the WeatherBlur project by assisting with instrument development, survey administration and interviews, data management, and data analysis. This person will also lend capacity to Teach ME Outside by leading efforts to conduct the second Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine, tracking participation in TMO events and data collection at convenings, and providing overall project support.

The Research Associate will:

• Work with MMSA staff to create and refine appropriate data-collection tools.
• Conduct interviews with youth and adults, by phone, online, and in person;
• Take detailed notes and ask clarifying questions where needed;
• Code, organize, and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data;
• Contribute to the designing and refining of survey, interview, and observation instruments.
• Write and edit reports;
• Create and maintain data-storage and documentation systems; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

MMSA offers a flexible work schedule that includes working remotely with the approval of the supervisor. Staff are expected to be in the office at least one day of each week, especially for staff meetings and at other times as needed. This position will need to travel occasionally across the state and country, including overnights, to locations elsewhere in Maine, New England, and across the country. Travel expenses are reimbursed by MMSA. Currently MMSA's office is operating with COVID precautions in place.

Please send a letter of interest that outlines your experience against each of the selection criteria above and resume by email to [email protected] or by regular mail to Human Resource Director, PO Box 2246, Augusta, Maine 04338.

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