Research Specialist, Social Marketing

ICF; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Research Specialist to support formative, process, and summative evaluations that guide national health communications and social marketing campaigns. This entry-level role is ideal for someone starting a career in mixed methods research and who enjoys supporting multiple projects across teams.

The position sits onsite at our Rockville, MD office with opportunities to develop recruitment materials, conduct literature reviews, manage data collection, analyze results, and create

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in social science research including qualitative or quantitative methods.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead research activities and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop recruitment and data collection materials.
• Conduct sampling and data collection.
• Analyze data using NVivo or SPSS/SAS.
• Create reports and presentations for clients.
• Lead IRB/OMB review processes.
• Contribute to proposals and research plans.

Skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Proficiency in English

Prioritization and multi-tasking

Education

Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, marketing, or related field

Tools

NVivo/MaxQDA

SAS/Stata/SPSS

PowerBI/Looker Studio

Job description

Description

Our strategic health communications and social marketing work tackles some of society’s greatest challenges and drives audiences to make positive attitudinal and behavioral changes.

A growing research team needs a self-starter to support formative, process, and summative evaluations that guide the planning, implementation, and revision of national health communications and social marketing campaigns. This entry-level position is ideal for someone who is starting a career in mixed methods (i.e., qualitative and quantitative) research and likes to support multiple projects.

We seek to hire a Research Specialist to support formative, process, and summative evaluations that guide the planning, implementation, and revision of national health communications and social marketing efforts.

Job Location: This role will ultimately sit onsite at our Rockville, MD office location.

As a Research Specialist You Will

• Develop recruitment and data collection materials (e.g., surveys or interview guides).
• Conduct sampling (e.g., develop literature review search terms and interview/survey inclusion/exclusion criteria and draw samples).
• Conduct data collection (e.g., extract information from the literature review sources, facilitate interviews, or coordinate survey data collection).
• Conduct data analysis (e.g., code text using software such as NVivo, or analyze campaign outcome data in SPSS, SAS, or some other software program).
• Create reports and presentations (e.g., draft white papers or develop data visuals using software such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint).
• Present research plans, updates, or findings at client meetings.
• Lead purchasing, subcontracting, and consulting requisitions by obtaining and comparing vendor and consultant quotes, establishing suitable justifications, developing or modifying forms, and processing payments.
• Lead research review processes (e.g., IRB or OMB approval).
• Contribute to project proposals and research plans that describe project purpose, methods, and staffing and provide an estimated timeline and budget.

Required Qualifications

As a Research Specialist will have:

• Master’s degree in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in social science research to include experience in conducting qualitative or quantitative research

Professional Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills
• Proficiency in English
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Desired Qualifications

• PhD in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related field
• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research experience, including research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead research activities, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work
• Experience applying behavioral science, human-centered design, or Design Thinking approaches to understand audiences and inform recommendations
• Ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for clients and nontechnical audiences
• Proficiency with statistical and/or qualitative analysis software, such as SAS, Stata, SPSS, or NVivo or MaxQDA
• Experience in PowerBI or Looker Studio
• Spanish fluency preferred

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

$74,090.00 - $125,954.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)