Research Associate, Strategy and Impact

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s Friday Institute in Raleigh is seeking a Research Associate, Strategy and Impact to coordinate across initiatives, articulate research into action, and share progress with internal and external partners and funders. This role emphasizes turning complex ideas into structured plans and clear communications to build momentum for program outcomes.

You will synthesize research and feedback, develop actionable workplans, and elevate the Institute’s impact by producing

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize research, stakeholder feedback, and implementation data to identify insights, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas for academic and practitioner audiences through written materials, presentations, and other communications.
• Project management, organizational, and coordination skills sufficient to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
• Facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills sufficient to effectively engage diverse academic, practitioner, and partner audiences.
• Knowledge of digital learning and emerging technologies, including computer science and AI education, and their application to teaching, learning, implementation, or program improvement.

Responsibilities

• The Research Associate will report to the Executive Director of the Friday Institute and will provide direct support to coordinate across initiatives, communicate clearly with internal and external partners, and maintain shared visibility into priorities, progress, and decisions.
• A core function of this role is extending reach-helping to author, package, publish, and report on its work so that high-quality ideas and programming become usable artifacts, visible impact, and sustained momentum with partners and funders.
• The primary work centres on connecting the dots across initiatives by identifying patterns, surfacing insights, coordinating collaborators, and ensuring projects move from planning to high-quality execution.
• In this role, you will help turn complex ideas, research, and partner feedback into clear strategies, actionable plans, and meaningful outcomes.
• You will connect people and priorities across projects, bringing structure to work that spans multiple initiatives and partners.
• Your ability to see the big picture while managing important details will help teams make informed decisions, strengthen programs, and continuously improve.
• You will also help amplify the Friday Institute's work by creating clear, compelling materials and communications that demonstrate impact, support partnerships, and build momentum for future opportunities.
• Program strategy and synthesis: conduct structured inquiry to understand needs across partners; synthesize research into insights and recommendations; translate strategy into workplans; identify gaps and alignment across initiatives.
• Evidence and improvement: define indicators of progress; support evaluation; monitor policy and edtech developments.
• Convenings, coordination, and communications: facilitate convenings; coordinate meetings and governance; prepare partner-ready materials.
• Growth and resourcing: contribute to proposals; draft funder-facing reports; document activity; track funding pipeline.

Education

Master’s degree in Education or Technology

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus 5+ years of K-12 educator/researcher experience

PhD in instructional technology, learning sciences, STEM education, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Research Associate, Strategy and Impact

Employing Institution: Friday Institute - NC State University

Location: Raleigh, NC

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience ($72,000 - $76,000)

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

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 (equivalent to 40 hours per week)

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Position Number: 00112267

Department: Friday Institute

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

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

Essential Job Duties

The Research Associate will report to the Executive Director of the Friday Institute and will provide direct support to coordinate across initiatives, communicate clearly with internal and external partners, and maintain shared visibility into priorities, progress, and decisions. A core function of this role is extending reach-helping to author, package, publish, and report on its work so that high-quality ideas and programming become usable artifacts, visible impact, and sustained momentum with partners and funders. The primary work centres on connecting the dots across initiatives by identifying patterns, surfacing insights, coordinating collaborators, and ensuring projects move from planning to high-quality execution.

In this role, you will help turn complex ideas, research, and partner feedback into clear strategies, actionable plans, and meaningful outcomes. You will connect people and priorities across projects, bringing structure to work that spans multiple initiatives and partners. Your ability to see the big picture while managing important details will help teams make informed decisions, strengthen programs, and continuously improve. You will also help amplify the Friday Institute's work by creating clear, compelling materials and communications that demonstrate impact, support partnerships, and build momentum for future opportunities.

Program strategy and synthesis:

• Conduct structured inquiry (interviews, listening sessions, document review) to understand needs, constraints, and opportunities across partners and initiatives.
• Synthesize research, practitioner feedback, and implementation data into clear insights, recommendations, and decision points for project teams and leadership.
• Translate strategy into actionable workplans (milestones, dependencies, risks, resourcing) and maintain visibility across the portfolio.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for alignment across initiatives; propose pragmatic ways to streamline and strengthen the portfolio.

Evidence and improvement:

• Define and track meaningful indicators of progress (implementation readiness, participation, adoption signals, quality measures, partner satisfaction).
• Support lightweight evaluation and learning cycles: collect feedback, document lessons learned, and integrate improvements into next iterations.
• Monitor the broader landscape (policy, research, edtech and AI developments) and flag implications for program design and partner needs.

Convenings, coordination, and communications:

• Facilitate and/or contribute to convenings, training, and other partner-facing learning opportunities.
• Coordinate project meetings, working groups, governance structures, and partner communications to support timely decisions and follow-through.
• Prepare, maintain, and update partner-ready project materials for online and print dissemination (briefs, agendas, decision memos, implementation supports), ensuring outputs are clear, consistent, and publication-ready.

Growth and resourcing:

• Contribute to project and grant proposals, including framing problems and possibilities of practice and aligning deliverables.
• Draft and coordinate funder-facing reports and updates that communicate progress, evidence, and impact with clarity and credibility.
• Document project activity to capture outcomes, lessons learned, and next-phase recommendations.
• Track and support a pipeline of aligned opportunities; maintain portfolio-level visibility into funding status, commitments, and next steps.

Other Responsibilities

• 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: Relevant Master's degree in Education or Technology, or a bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 5 or more years of experience as a K-12 educator, technology leader, or researcher. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize research, stakeholder feedback, and implementation data to identify insights, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas for academic and practitioner audiences through written materials, presentations, and other communications.

• PhD in instructional technology, learning sciences, STEM education, or a related field.
• Project management, organizational, and coordination skills sufficient to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
• Facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills sufficient to effectively engage diverse academic, practitioner, and partner audiences.
• Knowledge of digital learning and emerging technologies, including computer science and AI education, and their application to teaching, learning, implementation, or program improvement.

Required License(s) or Certification(s): N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Recruitment Dates

Job Open Date: 08/27/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 9/15/2026, if posting is active we are still accepting and reviewing applications

EEO Statement

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.