What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Analyst position at AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education)?
Research Analyst (Part-Time)
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
Remote/Hybrid • Approx. 20 hours/week
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) is seeking a part-time Research Analyst to support our federal and state policy work, research publications, and member engagement initiatives. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys analyzing policy, working with education data, and creating clear, actionable insights that support educator preparation programs nationwide.
Position Summary
The Research Analyst will contribute to research, data analysis, policy tracking, and the development of publications and resources for AACTE members. The role supports both federal and state advocacy efforts and plays a critical part in expanding AACTE’s data and research infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Federal Advocacy & Member Support
- Conduct research and data analysis to support federal policy recommendations.
- Track proposed and enacted federal policies and summarize key implications.
- Draft member-facing briefs, FAQs, and summaries on federal laws and regulations.
- Prepare materials for webinars, learning sessions, and member resources.
- Contribute to advocacy-related events and communications.
State Advocacy & Member Support
- Prepare policy research, talking points, and data for state-focused events.
- Support presentations on state and federal policy trends.
- Track state policy issues impacting educator preparation and draft summaries or alerts.
- Assist with administrative processes for state affiliate programs.
Research & Publications
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses for AACTE publications, such as issue briefs, policy papers, and e-books.
- Contribute to the development of data dashboards, visualizations, and figures.
- Support the expansion of AACTE’s research and data infrastructure.
- Assist in responding to media requests related to educator preparation data.
- Provide research support for webinars, conference sessions, and partner events.
Partnerships & Representation
- Represent AACTE in meetings requiring research or data expertise.
- Prepare meeting briefs, talking points, and background materials.
- Support partner engagements with research summaries or preparation materials.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Education Policy, Public Policy, Economics, Sociology, or related field OR equivalent professional experience.
- Ability to interpret policy language and clearly communicate it to non-technical audiences.
- Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple projects.
- Experience analyzing large datasets; familiarity with federal datasets (e.g., IPEDS, Title II, NPSAS) preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and at least one statistical software package (SAS or SPSS).
- Working knowledge of Tableau and experience building interactive dashboards.
- Experience designing and implementing surveys.
- Outstanding written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in or with the U.S. Department of Education or similar policy institutions.
- Familiarity with educator preparation, Title II data, or teacher workforce issues.
- Experience contributing to publications, research briefs, or policy papers.
- Experience supporting advocacy or public affairs work.
- Grant-writing experience.
Work Environment
- Part-time (approximately 20 hours/week).
- Remote or hybrid, based on candidate location.
- Requires participation in scheduled team meetings.
- Occasional travel to AACTE events may be required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply via the AACTE Career Center or the application link provided on the job board where this role is posted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.