Sr. Design Researcher

Elevate the human experience through design TM

Please make an application promptly if you are a good match for this role due to high levels of interest.

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet.

If this sparks your interest, you’re in the right place.

Locations

• Houston
• Seattle
• Portland
• Charlotte
• Orlando

Role Summary

The Senior Design Researcher will work with integrated design teams, clients, and stakeholders to ideate, plan, and execute research for design and topics related to education, teaching, learning, and training.

Their strongest partners will be designers and leaders in our Higher Education and K-12 Education sectors, but the Senior Design Researcher will be expected to grow relationships across the firm to cross-pollinate knowledge and information.

A Senior Design Researcher plays an important role in DLR Group’s integrated, evidence-based design culture. They will be a trusted advisor to designers, clients, and stakeholders on how to prioritize and translate research for practice.

Anyone in this role is a part of building the firm’s culture of innovation and curiosity. All members of the Design Research team can participate in and grow to leadership;

Design Researchers can explore various project types and specialize in areas that interest them as they gain experience in the firm.

Key Performance Measures

• Lead internal research work focusing on K-12, Higher Education, and training environments and topics to produce new research tools, reports, and thought leadership.
• Collaborate with design leaders to prioritize research topics and activities that bring value to education, learning, and training projects and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement project research plans for educational and training projects in collaboration with design teams, including scope and fee for proposals.
• Build relationships with external partners to identify opportunities for stand-alone research projects in priority areas.

Position Responsibilities

Senior Design Researchers may work on a combination of client projects, pursuing work, and stand-alone research projects with internal or external partners.

They may also work with cross-functional internal partners for research that benefits the firm. This person will collaborate with others on the Design Research team and cross-functional partners to :

• Develop individual thought leadership writing and presentations, and collaborate on shared writing and presentations with other team members.
• Present research findings to a variety of audiences, including clients, stakeholders, and designers.
• Participate in project interviews with integrated design teams.
• Learn DLR Group’s existing tools and activities for research related to teaching, learning, and training, then propose suggestions to expand research tools.
• Maintain current certification in Human Subjects Research Protection and Institutional Review Board requirements related to research with participants under the age of 18 and student data privacy.
• Maintain and update a research library of current literature, benchmarks, and reports relevant to educational or training topics.
• Manage time and workload across multiple projects to ensure high quality, timely, and ethical work.
• Represent DLR Group’s research expertise in the home office, when traveling to other locations, and through participation in professional organizations.
• Mentor within and beyond the Design Research team to create a culture of continuous improvement through knowledge sharing, discussion, and learning.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a program with a focus on research methodologies, social science, design research, statistics, education; similar majors.
• 3-5 years of relevant professional or academic work experience related to the purpose, planning, design, or management of educational facilities.
• Direct experience with fundamental quantitative and qualitative research tools, including survey, interview, case study, and observation.
• Direct experience with mixed methods research related to educational or training topics.
• Direct experience communicating research concepts and findings to non-expert audiences, verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with or facilitating diverse stakeholder groups as part of the research process.
• Awareness of current Human Subjects Research practices (current HSRP certification is not required, but will be a priority for those starting in this role) for research involving legal minors.
• Travel Required up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or additional training focused on research methodologies, social science, design research, statistics, education; similar majors.
• Relevant professional experience related to the planning, design, or management of educational facilities.
• Certifications relevant to design thinking, design research, or evidence-based design.
• Peer-reviewed publications or speaking engagements related to education, learning, or training concepts or spaces.
• Experience writing or managing research grants.

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse.

Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients;

local communities; and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.

Our comprehensive Benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off.

We also offer a 401k, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. The potential pay range for this role is $90,000-$120,000 annually.

We operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home.

Visit dlrgroup.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

We are proud to be an EEO / AA employer M / F / D / V.

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