Research Associate, Strategy and Impact

North Carolina State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off

Tuition/Academic Services

Wellness Programs

Job summary

North Carolina State University’s Friday Institute is seeking a Research Associate, Strategy and Impact, to coordinate across initiatives and synthesize research into clear strategies and plans. The role involves turning complex ideas into actionable workplans, communicating with internal and external partners, and supporting reporting and dissemination of findings.

The position, based in Raleigh with four on-site days per week, offers opportunities to influence statewide education initiatives

Qualifications

• Master's in Education or Technology or an equivalent combination with significant relevant experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to translate complex ideas into accessible materials.
• Experience coordinating across multiple partners and initiatives to deliver on program goals.
• Familiarity with K-12 education technology, policy, and program evaluation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate across initiatives and partners to ensure prioritized work moves from planning to execution.
• Turn research and partner feedback into clear strategies and actionable workplans.
• Prepare partner-ready materials (briefs, agendas, memos) with publication-ready quality.
• Support development of proposals, reports, and communications to demonstrate impact.

Skills

Research synthesis

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Master's in Education/Technology

PhD in instructional tech/learning sciences

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number PG194819EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Research Associate, Strategy and Impact
Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience ($72,000 - $76,000)
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 Raleigh, NC
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.

What we offer:

• 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 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.

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 centers 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.

If you are a curious, collaborative, adaptable professional who enjoys connecting ideas, people, and possibilities to move meaningful work forward, 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

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.

Other Required 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 08/27/2026

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

Position Details

Position Number 00112267

Position Type EPS/SAAO

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

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

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.