What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant position at NCCER?
Description
NCCER is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to support applied research on workforce development, education, training effectiveness, and industry trends in the construction sector. This role will work closely with the Research Director to design and execute studies, manage data, and translate findings into written reports that provide practical insights for contractors, educators, and industry leaders. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, curious, an excellent writer and editor, and comfortable working with both data and people in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
- Assist in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research studies related to construction workforce development and training.
- Perform data collection, data entry, cleaning, and statistical analysis to support evidence-based findings.
- Help develop, test, and administer surveys and other data collection instruments (online and paper-based).
- Conduct literature reviews and summarize key findings to inform research design, reports, and presentations.
- Draft and edit research deliverables, including white papers, internal reports, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Prepare clear charts, tables, and visualizations that communicate complex data to non-technical audiences.
- Coordinate project timelines, track study progress, and help maintain organized files, datasets, and documentation.
- Support research-related meetings, webinars, interviews, and focus groups (e.g., scheduling, note-taking, logistics).
- Collaborate with NCCER staff, training partners, and industry stakeholders to refine research questions and methodologies.
- Present findings in a clear, concise, and professional manner for internal leadership and external industry audiences.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., construction management, education, social sciences, business, industrial/organizational psychology, data analytics, or a similar discipline).
- 1–3 years of experience in construction education, research, data analysis, evaluation, or a related role (internships and assistantships considered).
- Experience with data analysis tools such as Excel; familiarity with SPSS, R, or Python is a plus.
- Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear narratives.
- Basic understanding of research methods (survey design, sampling, reliability/validity, qualitative coding, etc.).
- Interest in workforce development, training, or the construction/industrial sector preferred.
- Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Comfortable working onsite as part of a collaborative team environment.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to contribute to high-impact studies that shape construction workforce development and training practices.
- Potential to be listed as a co-author on white papers, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed articles.
- Daily collaboration with industry leaders, education partners, and NCCER leadership.
- Professional development opportunities related to research methods, data analysis, and workforce development.
- Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package (including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off).
Interested candidates should submit the following materials:
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position
- A brief writing sample (e.g., report excerpt, paper, or research summary)
Please email application materials to rhannah@nccer.org with the subject line: Research Applicant
NCCER is an equal opportunity employer. No one shall be denied employment or opportunity based on race or color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation. NCCER also provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and bona fide religious beliefs, provided that such accommodation does not constitute an undue hardship on the Company.