Role Snapshot
The Research Associate will support the Friday Institute at NC State University in building and scaling digital learning initiatives by translating research and partner input into coherent programs, implementation supports, and field-facing deliverables. This role is critical for advancing capacity building in computer science and AI education across national, state, and local education leaders.
Key Responsibilities: Synthesize research, partner perspectives, and emerging trends into strategic priorities and workplans; track meaningful indicators, gather feedback, and translate evidence into practical improvements; coordinate project teams and partners, facilitate meetings, and develop publication-ready materials; contribute to proposals, funder communications, and project reporting.
Skills & Tools: Strong project and portfolio management capabilities; experience at the intersection of research, policy, and practice; excellent relationship-building, synthesis, and strategic communication skills; demonstrated strengths in continuous improvement and decision-making in complex, evolving environments.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required (Master's preferred) with experience working on education initiatives, research programs, or strategic partnerships. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, build cross-sector partnerships, and translate research into practical implementation.
Location: Not specified
Compensation: $55K–$75K/yr (estimated)
Job Description
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.