Organization:
Founded in 1968, the Guttmacher Institute is a global leader in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Through a unique and interrelated program of high-quality research, evidence-based policy and strategic communications, the Institute works to generate new ideas, encourage enlightened public debate and promote sound policy and program development. The Institute’s overarching goal is to ensure the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people worldwide. The Institute is engaged in building a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable organization.
Position Summary:
Reporting to Senior Research Staff, the Senior Research Associate (SRA) will manage various research and management tasks, including data collection (quantitative and qualitative), data analysis, report writing, and coordination with other teams for publication. They typically serve as project managers or substantive leads, and on international projects, they collaborate closely with in-country partners. The SRA will also train and supervise Research Associates and Assistants. Working with significant independence, they will perform similar tasks as Research Associates but have additional responsibilities and qualifications due to their experience.
Responsibilities and/or duties:
Senior Research Associate–specific responsibilities
- Provide substantive background to Research Associates (and junior staff) who are embarking on new projects in unfamiliar substantive areas. Methods to do so may be both formal and informal, including compiling relevant literature or holding discussion/information sessions.
- Provide and share expertise on project management and supervision in the context of project implementation. Senior Research Associates can guide Research Associates on interpersonal communication, problem-solving strategies, and other personnel issues that may arise.
- With project partners, especially in but not limited to our international collaborations, design and co-lead training of fieldworkers.
If staffer has Guttmacher tenure
- Share knowledge and expertise on Guttmacher research implementation processes and methodologies with Research Associates and Research Assistants. Provide training and guidance to Research Associates and Research Assistants on data collection, processing, analysis and presentation as they are commonly performed at Guttmacher. These trainings may occur in the course of a project on which the Senior Research Associate is staffed with a Research Associate, or through more formal mechanisms such as scheduled trainings or presentations. In the international projects, SRAs may lead trainings, in collaboration with project partners.
- Share knowledge and expertise on Guttmacher processes for interdivisional work with Research Associates and Research Assistants.
Research tasks
- Act as project principal (substantive lead) on projects, typically smaller or shorter-term ones, or on components of projects.
- Design, format and proofread questionnaires, with direction from senior staff on content; implement or supervise research assistants on formatting, proofreading and translation of these documents.
- Assist with IRB-related preparation as needed; participate in IRB meetings, including presenting to the IRB during reviews.
- Moderate focus groups or conduct personal interviews.
- Schedule, monitor, manage and coordinate a variety of tasks necessary for the fielding of surveys, including:
In the domestic context:
- Sample selection and management of respondent databases
- Organize project timetables and activities for initial and follow-up mailings
- Assist with orientation of research assistants to projects, with training in fieldwork skills
- Monitor productivity and quality of work
- Supervise the tracking of survey respondents
- Supervise activities to follow up on survey nonresponse and item nonresponse and clarification
- Develop coding instructions and training of research assistants in coding procedures
- Supervise checking and coding of questionnaires in preparation for data entry
- Supervise all tasks related to maintaining proper documentation of fieldwork activities and archiving of project files concerning fieldwork
- Monitor that a study’s methodological procedures are properly followed to ensure data quality
In the international context:
- Collaborate with fieldwork partners on study design, including sample selection and study instrument development
- Lead or participate in fieldwork training of partners
- Manage project timelines and activities
- Monitor/supervise fieldwork in collaboration with partners
- Develop checks to ensure quality data entry and data cleaning processes
- Supervise or participate in tasks related to maintaining proper documentation of fieldwork activities
- Implement data analyses using SPSS, Stata, NVivo or other social science analysis packages; take primary responsibility for certain complex analyses and data management tasks.
- Train and oversee Research Assistants in data cleaning and basic analyses.
- Participate in the drafting and/or review of articles and project reports, serving as first author in some cases.
- Serve as the Research Division’s point person to review and fact check materials as requested by other divisions (such as news releases and social media outputs).
- Present findings and represent Guttmacher at meetings and conferences.
Management tasks
- Serve as project manager (i.e., managerial lead) and work closely with project principals to oversee budget and staffing needs, while monitoring project schedules and work plan.
- Work with Communications and Policy teams, when applicable, to help coordinate communications activities.
- Coordinate projects that involve Guttmacher’s partnering with external collaborating agencies in the U.S. or in other countries; includes coordinating and making logistical and substantive preparations for field visits with both Guttmacher staff and staff of the partner organization, as well as helping coordinate with external communications partners for dissemination activities and launch events.
- Write reports to and participate in calls with funders.
- Assist with interviewing and recruitment of Senior Research Associates, Research Associates, Senior Research Assistants and Research Assistants.
- Participate in mentoring of research assistants.
- Assist in various aspects of project development, for example by developing budget estimates (staffing and direct costs) for fieldwork activities.
- Implement appropriate (confidential if required) storage, archiving or disposal of survey questionnaires.
- Perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned by supervisor or division management.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in a social science, public health, or related field, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with seven years of progressively responsible work experience.
Technical Skills:
- Strong statistical background, with expertise in R programming.
- Experience with Bayesian modeling (preferably using Stan/Jags programming language).
- Proficient in statistical analysis using packages such as SPSS, Stata, and NVivo.
Research and Project Management:
- In-depth knowledge of research processes and practices used in the Guttmacher research division, or equivalent research settings.
- Demonstrated experience in performing and understanding complex data analysis procedures.
- Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage team tasks and work schedules.
- Ability to foresee project needs and potential issues, ensuring smooth project implementation.
Leadership and Training:
- Experience in training and mentoring Research Associates and supervising research assistants in project implementation.
- Ability to liaise professionally with consultants, collaborators, and organizations.
- Ability to travel and represent Guttmacher at external meetings and conferences.
Communication and Organizational Skills:
- Strong writing and communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, management, and coordination abilities.
- Efficiency, accuracy, and high productivity, while maintaining professionalism in all tasks.
Independent Work:
- Ability to work independently, while ensuring tasks are completed to a high standard.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is between $116,000 to $162,100 and will be commensurate with experience. This range is specific to the New York and DC area, and base pay may vary depending on a wide range of factors. New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum to midpoint of the salary range posted depending on knowledge, skills and experience, and qualifications. Internal equity considerations will be reviewed before making a final offer. This is a Union represented position. The Guttmacher Institute practices a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office attendance 8 days per month at our NYC location. We offer excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; vacation, personal, and sick time; paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; commuting subsidy; and a 401(k) plan with employer match.
Guttmacher Institute strives to provide the training and support staff needed to be successful in their positions and to grow professionally.
(Updated 2025. All previous applicants do not need to reapply)