Research & Evaluation Field Associate

Research & Evaluation Field Associate (Contract) 

WPS Institute | Part-Time, Hourly | ~15 hrs/week |  ~4–6 Weeks | Start: Week of May 25th  | Boston & Peabody, MA

WPS Institute is seeking a curious, people-centered Research & Evaluation Field Associate to support our data and evaluation team in a short-term contract role. This position is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful research practice partnership work at the heart of our school improvement efforts — helping us understand student and educator experience through rich, qualitative storytelling. Working closely with WPS's Data and Evaluation Lead and Director of Partnerships, you will support all phases of our interview and focus group process: from refining interview protocols and coordinating logistics, to traveling to 2–3 partner school sites in Boston and Peabody to conduct interviews and small focus groups, to processing and synthesizing findings into usable documentation. The interviews you conduct will primarily be with middle school students, in formats ranging from one-on-one conversations to small groups of 3–4 participants, each lasting approximately 30–45 minutes and audio recorded for later transcription. This role is expected to begin in early to mid-May.

Beyond the interviews themselves, a significant part of this role involves post-interview documentation and light analysis — the kind of careful, attentive work that transforms raw conversations into actionable insights. Specifically, you will:

• Prepare for fieldwork by helping refine interview and focus group protocols, drafting logistical documentation, and coordinating scheduling and site details with WPS staff
• Conduct audio-recorded interviews and focus groups with students at partner school sites, demonstrating strong active listening, clear facilitation, and the ability to adapt in the moment
• Process recordings into transcripts, clean and format transcripts for clarity and readability, flag meaningful student quotes, and draft concise post-interview memos documenting key observations, notable moments, and initial impressions while the conversation is fresh
• Synthesize across conversations to surface initial themes and patterns that inform WPS's program evaluation and continuous improvement work
• Communicate proactively with the WPS team, collaborate on analysis, and maintain organized documentation in Google Suite



Qualifications:

• Experience working with young people in school or out-of-school settings
• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, warm presence with youth, and confident small-group facilitation
• Ability to adapt and pivot in the moment during interviews or group conversations
• A self-starter who proactively communicates and collaborates with the team
• Curiosity and interest in applied social science research, research practice partnerships, or human-centered and ethnographic methods
• Interest in K–12 education and education innovation (beneficial but not required)
• Proficiency with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Forms)

This role is well-suited for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, or early-career researchers and educators looking to deepen their experience with qualitative field research in an applied education context. Please note that a CORI or background check will be required prior to working at partner school sites. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. 

To Apply: Please email 1) Resume 2) Statement of interest (250 words max) to anna.leonhard@wpsinstitute.org no later than May 20, 2026.