Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Research Assistant

Posting Summary:
The National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University aims to advance the development, education, and health of children and families by producing scholarship that informs effective practice and policy. The National Center for Children and Families is seeking a Research Assistant who will support Professor Sharon Lynn Kagan in her roles as a faculty member and co-director, and who will support the overall mission of the Center.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Research Assistant will be responsible for significant editorial, research, writing, and project management work at the behest of the Co-Director and may take on extensive data analyses and organizational responsibilities as needed. The incumbent will be responsible for creating effective presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoints), concise research synopses, informational and organizational briefs (e.g., internal and external memos), conceptual proposals (e.g., for meeting agendas, upcoming webinar sessions, etc.), and updating the NCCF website on a continual basis. The Research Assistant will also support the smooth functioning of the Center; this may include, but is not limited to, performing administrative tasks related to the Co-Directors’ academic courses, research projects, or initiatives and assisting with the planning and coordination of conferences and events. When appropriate, the Research Assistant will more extensively support Dr. Kagan’s teaching of academic courses, including preparation of course content and materials, meeting with students, and co-teaching sessions.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research 
• Edit and/or write articles, briefs, research papers, book chapters, and reports
• Create and/or amend PowerPoint presentations for delivery at local, regional, national, and international events
• Conduct literature reviews on diverse topics, and read and summarize research materials into abstracts and/or talking points
• Conduct original research (e.g., desk reviews, in-person and phone interviews)
• Create graphic representations of research data for use in reports and presentations
• Work on state, local, and international technical assistance projects, both independently and with lead researchers and graduate students in small groups and conference calls
• Collaborate with International Scholars and Policy Leaders on global research projects
• Help manage the short-term and long-term planning and implementation for research projects
• Help coordinate and keep track of progress, meetings, and deadlines of major research projects

Center and Teaching Support 
• Support Co-Director’s teaching responsibilities including designing and preparing class materials, tracking students’ work, keeping course notebooks, obtaining readings, being present in class, and participate in co-teaching when necessary
• Assist in coordinating course logistics, including advertising for the course, room arrangements, maintaining Canvas course site, uploading readings, communicating with students, and planning special travel dates when necessary
• Organize and update Co-Director’s CV and support the dissemination of publications
• Coordinate scheduling and related correspondence with other institutions and colleagues
• Render support and provide technical assistance on various internal processes and systems (Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite, Canvas, and Wordpress)
• Write and edit grant proposals and annual reports for Center funders and project stakeholders
• Manage administrative activities at the National Center for Children and Families office

Other duties as assigned 
• Additional projects and tasks may be assigned based on the business needs of the office

Salary Range:

$51,000 - $63,000

Work Modality:

Hybrid