Associate Researcher / Full Researcher - Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS)

Position overview

Position title : Associate Researcher / Full Researcher

Salary range : See Table 13-B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $116,200 - $169,700.

Application Window

Open date : September 19, 2025

Next review date : Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

Job Summary Statement : The Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) at UCLA\'s School of Education and Information Studies (Ed&IS) is dedicated to partnering with the education ecosystem to bring about systems change through Humanizing Research, Validating Practices, and Transformative Policies with key stakeholders to support equitable educational outcomes for all students. Our vision is to be a catalyst for learning communities to boldly nurture and protect the dignity, wellbeing, and full potential of all students.

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading research programs, projects, and new initiatives in CTS. The Executive Director will be the leader in research administration for CTS in securing independent funding and carrying out the research initiatives of the center. The Executive Director will provide research project management and participate in the design and implementation of educational research, evaluation, and assessment studies. The Executive Director will develop grant proposals in collaboration with Project Directors and Senior Director of Operations & Administration, develop research instrument, manage and delegate implementation of data collection efforts, supervise and manage data being entered into computerized databases; analyze qualitative and quantitative data to generate findings; arrange and conduct site visits; prepare and deliver project presentations; support in preparing effort reports and other key documents for granting agencies; and assist with distribution and dissemination of research findings to key stakeholders as well as state and local government officials. The Executive Director will report to the Co-Faculty Director of CTS.

Key Responsibilities :

• Direct the research efforts for the Center for the Transformation of Schools with the Center\'s Co-Faculty Directors.
• In collaboration with Project Directors and Senior Director of Operations & Administration support research administrative activities in CTS including but not limited to : developing research proposals to secure funding, managing and facilitating research tied to projects in CTS, track and manage effort reporting for funding in CTS to adhere to University and granting agency policies and procedures.
• Lead role in revenue generation and securing extramural funding for CTS
• Lead efforts to collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings to broader audiences of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers and other engaged stakeholders.
• Build research-practice partnerships with universities across the United States and abroad, along with collaborating schools and / or districts (e.g., educators and administrators) to ensure proposed research projects are both meaningful and relevant to the interest / needs of CTS.
• Cultivate and oversee key philanthropic relationships to advance the Center\'s growing research agenda.
• Develop and lead the composition of research focused grant proposals.
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that have conducted research and have established measures of various aspects of social-emotional learning.
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that can complement emerging knowledge.
• Conduct intensive research (e.g., observations, interviews, surveys, documentation of educators\' perspectives, and documentation of student learning).
• Lead IRB processes.
• Write peer-reviewed journal articles, blogs, book chapters, etc.
• Present at conferences locally, nationally and internally.
• In collaboration with Senior Director of Operations & Administration, support the development of project budgets.
• Create and uphold a strong research agenda as evidenced by publications and external and internal grant support.
• Manage research team in collaboration with Senior Director of Operations & Administration including Senior Project Scientists, team of Graduate Student Researchers, and other research administrative team members.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications

Salary

See Table 13-B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $116,200 - $169,700.

Application Requirements

SKAC (Skills, Knowledge, Attitudes, Competency)

Preferred

Earned Doctorate in Education from an accredited university or college or equivalent work experience with a major in early childhood development, elementary or secondary education, bilingual / multicultural education, special education, applied linguistics, or a related field.

Required

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

The appointee should have the terminal or top degree in the appointee\'s field, e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or the highest degree that is commonly expected in the fields of Education, Social Work, or related field.

Strong background in research related to issues of racial equity in schools, linkages between poverty, social inequality and education, education policy and the academic, social and emotional factors that impact student learning.

Exhibit a deep understanding of how in-school and out-of-school factors influence student achievement, the role of school systems to prioritize the success of its most vulnerable student populations and scholarship that examines the disproportionate impact of zero tolerance policies and practices on low-income students of color.

Must have a program of research that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to explore how education policies can mitigate or address structural racism and social inequities.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Reference requirements

Please submit names and emails of the reference you wish to reach out to. This will auto generate an email with directions to them to request a letter of recommendation from them.

Apply link : https : / / recruit.apo.ucla.edu / JPF10611

Help contact

duong@gseis.ucla.edu

About UCLA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy; UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties; APM - 035 : Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA

J-18808-Ljbffr