Associate Director of Research

This position directly supports state education agencies by analyzing policy impacts and promoting effective strategies. Located in Everett, MA, the role involves collaboration with regional partners to tailor research initiatives that resonate with local education priorities, making it pivotal in shaping evidence-based education reforms.

Strong strategic vision, team coordination, and analytical oversight define success here. The American Economic Association values leaders who can bridge complex data with actionable insights, fostering research that advances economic education policies while nurturing a collaborative, innovative research culture.

Progression often leads to senior director positions or executive roles within research centers or policy institutes. Experience managing multifaceted projects and influencing strategic research direction, like at Harvard’s CEPR, equips professionals for high-level decision-making roles in academia or public policy sectors.

Everett’s proximity to academic hubs like Boston increases competition, but demand for research leadership in education policy remains robust. Candidates with strong analytical backgrounds and experience in state-level education evaluations, as highlighted by the States Leading States initiative, have an edge.

Salaries for this role generally range from $110,000 to $140,000 annually, reflecting the seniority and specialized expertise required. Compensation packages often include benefits aligned with academic research settings, considering the strategic impact and leadership responsibilities involved.

Everett offers convenient access to Boston’s research networks but can have peak-hour traffic challenges. The local work culture blends academic rigor with collaborative engagement, emphasizing evidence-driven projects and cross-institution partnerships common in the Massachusetts education research community.

The association’s focus on economic education policy means the role involves specialized analytical oversight tied to economic impacts on education systems. Unlike generic research roles, there’s a strong emphasis on policy translation and dissemination within influential economic academic circles.

Expertise in education policy analytics, strategic project management, and partnership-building with state agencies stand out. Proficiency in translating complex data into accessible findings tailored for education leaders is particularly prized, reflecting the Association’s mission to advance evidence-based educational reforms.

The title signals a leadership role focused on oversight and development of research projects rather than hands-on data collection. It means managing analytic quality, guiding strategic research directions, and ensuring findings effectively inform education policy decisions across states.

Candidates typically need advanced degrees in economics, education policy, or related fields, alongside proven experience in analytic leadership. Familiarity with state education systems and policy evaluation frameworks is critical to excel in this initiative-driven, impact-focused research environment.