Research Associate - Digital Learning

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & recreation membership

Wellness programs

Job summary

The Friday Institute at NC State University seeks a Research Associate to help build and scale digital learning initiatives, including CS and AI education, for national, state, and local leaders. You will translate research into coherent programs, with emphasis on synthesis, communication, and continuous improvement.

You will turn emerging ideas into strategies, provide structure for complex projects, and foster trusted partnerships to extend impact across the field.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education or Technology, or Bachelor’s in a relevant field, plus 5+ years as a K-12 educator, technology leader, or researcher.
• Strong project management, organizational, and coordination skills across priorities and stakeholders.
• Clear communication to academic, practitioner, and partner audiences in writing and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Shape and advance strategic initiatives by synthesizing research and partner perspectives.
• Track indicators, gather feedback, and translate evidence into practical improvements.
• Coordinate project teams and partners; develop clear, publication-ready materials.
• Contribute to proposals, funder communications, and report outcomes and impact.

Skills

Project management

Policy expertise

Relationship building

Strategic communication

Synthesis

Continuous improvement

Education

Master’s degree in Education or Technology

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194820EP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Research Associate - Digital Learning

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience ($72,000 - $76,000)

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Raleigh-based position with an on-site presence approximately four days per week with flexibility based on program needs, meetings, and events.

Job Location

Department

Department Friday Institute

About the Department

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation is a large, multi-faceted Institute housed in a 33,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility on NC State University’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh. Our work encompasses educational research, professional development, policy and program evaluation, and direct services to schools, districts, state departments of education and public- and private sector organizations. We are deeply involved in work in throughout North Carolina, leading some of the major statewide K-12 education initiatives and working closely with the Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and the majority of school districts in the State on the transition to digital teaching and learning. Since opening in 2005, the Friday Institute has developed a strong national presence, working with organizations throughout the country, and is increasingly developing international connections. More information is available at http://www.fi.ncsu.edu .

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Friday Institute at NC State University seeks a Research Associate to help build and scale a growing portfolio of work focused on capacity building in digital learning, including computer science and AI education, and strategic initiatives that support national, state, and local education leaders. This role is pivotal in translating research and partner input into coherent programs, implementation supports, and field-facing deliverables. The successful candidate will be a strong project and portfolio manager; bring experience working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice; excel at building relationships across varied partners; and demonstrate strengths in synthesis, strategic communication, and continuous improvement.

In this role, you will help turn emerging ideas, research, and partner needs into strategies and resources that can be implemented and scaled. You will bring structure to complex initiatives, helping teams prioritize work, make informed decisions, and move projects from planning through execution. Your ability to build trusted relationships, synthesize varied perspectives, and communicate clearly will help the Friday Institute strengthen partnerships, improve its work, and extend the reach and impact of digital learning initiatives across the field.

Key Impact areas include and are not limited to:

• Shape and advance strategic initiatives by synthesizing research, partner perspectives, and emerging trends into priorities, recommendations, workplans, and opportunities for alignment across projects.
• Strengthen implementation and continuous improvement by tracking meaningful indicators, gathering feedback, documenting lessons learned, and translating evidence into practical improvements.
• Build alignment and engagement by coordinating project teams and partners, facilitating meetings and learning opportunities, and developing clear, publication-ready materials that support implementation and shared decision-making.
• Support growth and sustainability by contributing to proposals, funder communications, project reporting, and opportunity development while helping communicate outcomes, impact, and future priorities.

If you are an adaptable, collaborative professional who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, builds strong relationships across varying partners and audiences, and enjoys working with others to turn ideas into meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties such as:

• Support day-to-day operations
• Coordinate project meetings, organization structures, and communications
• Prepare, maintain, and update project materials for online and print dissemination
• Up to 20% for in-state and/or out-of-state travel

This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Education or Technology, or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, plus 5 or more years of experience as a K-12 educator, technology leader, or researcher.

Other Required Qualifications

• Project management, organizational, and coordination skills sufficient to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong communication skills sufficient to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to academic, practitioner, and partner audiences through written materials, presentations, and other communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of digital learning and emerging technologies, including computer science and AI education, and their application to teaching, learning, implementation, or program improvement.
• Experience developing instructional or implementation materials for in-person and online audiences.
• Facilitation and presentation skills sufficient to effectively engage varied audiences in trainings, meetings, and collaborative learning experiences.
• Experience working across research, policy, and practice to support education initiatives, implementation, or capacity building.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes

Commercial Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 08/27/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Anticipated Close Date 9/9/2026, if posting is active we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Position Number

Position Number 00112268

Position Type

Position Type EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

Department ID 139001 - Friday Institute

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] . Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU Website
  • NCSU Executive Search Services
  • Monster.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
  • Job / Career Fair
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • HERC
  • Professional Journal
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
  • Professional Organization
  • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
  • NCSU Employee Referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
  • Other
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have a valid NC Driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of your start date?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for References

Optional Documents

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
PHONE: [phone]