Research Associate - RISE

Advertising Summary: The Research Institute on Social Equity (RISE), in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is searching for a Research Associate with a strong background and interest in public policy and equity to work closely with the Director, Senior Research Associates, research team, and clients. The Research Associate will work on equity-based research in public policy, addressing organizational, structural, and institutional issues adversely impacting marginalized communities. The Research Associate will provide leadership and support for multiple studies that are part of the Institute’s strategy to increase public service and policy equity. The Research Associate will monitor legislation, public policy decisions and trends, and other issues related to the institute’s mission at the local, state, and federal levels related to various ongoing and prospective research projects with implications to policy fields, including housing, emergency management, health, public administration, urban planning. The Research Associate is expected to keep current on equity trends and appropriate theories of change, methods reaching marginalized communities, publications, and initiatives.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: Research Institute for Social Equity

Department Summary: Established in 2019, the mission of the Research Institute for Social Equity is to advance social equity through multidisciplinary scholarship, research, training, and engagement.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where multiple perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu.

Position Overview:

The Research Associate will work on equity-based research in public policy, addressing organizational, structural, and institutional issues adversely impacting marginalized communities. The Research Associate will provide leadership and support for multiple studies that are part of the Institute’s strategy to increase public service and policy equity. The Research Associate will monitor legislation, public policy decisions and trends, and other issues related to the institute’s mission at the local, state, and federal levels related to various ongoing and prospective research projects with implications to policy fields, including housing, emergency management, health, public administration, urban planning. The Research Associate is expected to keep current on equity trends and appropriate theories of change, methods reaching marginalized communities, publications, and initiatives.

Typical Duties

1. Research, Data Management, Collection, and Analytics, Report and Grant Writing: 

• Work with the project team to support research needs and development.
• Conduct literature reviews and prepare appropriate analysis.
• Conduct equity-based data analysis.
• Write monthly equity reports.
• Research Associate will also collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate research findings.
• Engage with marginalized communities to conduct observations and community events.
• Conduct secondary data collection using national databases (e.g., census data).
• Develop research instruments, including surveys.
• Conduct quantitative data collection and management as well as qualitative data collection and management (e.g., focus groups, interviews).
• Develop codebooks, protocols, and supervision of data management, collection, and analysis.
• Co-write research grants to obtain internal/external funding.
• Gather, analyze, interpret, and disseminate public policy content to the Institute’s internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and develop IRB applications and ensure that research is conducted to the highest ethical standards.
• Attend Institute related meetings with the Client.
• Provide updates to clients and draft proposals for new contracts with clients.
• Compose reports, publish findings, and present recommendations to various stakeholders.
• Prepare research manuscripts for publication.
• Present project findings and critical issues at national, state, and local conferences and meetings.
• Represent the Institute at local, state, and national public policy meetings.
• Translate research into external briefs and reports.

2. Administrative Support:

• Oversee study timelines and budgets, ensuring timely completion of research deliverables.
• Support hiring and recruitment for research, analysts, assistants, and/or interns as needed.
• Partner with leadership to ensure the team maintains an accurate working knowledge of the literature.
• Work collaboratively with RISE and the Wilder School Office of Research and Outreach staff to advance the mission of RISE.
• May serve as a seasoned level researcher and act as a mentor to junior-level research student staff.
• May provide direct and/or indirect oversight of student staff.
• Perform related duties.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree and three years of applied research work experience in public policy or social sciences, or an equivalent combination of professional skills and/or experience.
• Two to four years of experience in community or policy research, analysis, and writing.
• Demonstrated fluency in intersecting social identifies and their interplay with public policy.
• Documented working on equity-based research projects.
• Knowledge of analytical, theoretical, or equity frameworks.
• Knowledge of a variety of social science research methods and analytics.
• Data collection and data analysis skills.
• Experience in research study design, data management, and mixed-method data collection.
• Experience conducting systematic reviews.
• Excellent oral and written communication (e.g., manuscripts, conference and community presentations).
• Experience creating policy briefs, white papers, and policy ops.
• Ability to embrace change and to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Intermediate proficiency in social science statistical approach.
• Documented experience and knowledge of the IRB process.
• Data collection skills such as focus groups, interviews, surveys.
• Strong qualitative data analysis skills using software such as Dedoose or NVivo.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA.
• Availability to work non-traditional hours during the weekend and some weeknights.        
• Ability to travel 5% of the year.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree and one year of applied research experience.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Document equity-based research experience.
• Experience in social science research methods and analytics.
• Track record of research publications and presentations.
• Ability to implement theory into study design, analysis, and implementation.
• Experience with managing funded projects, budgets, and grant writing.
• Awareness of best practice trends in equity research, public policy, and working with underserved communities.
• Experience conducting equity-based research projects.
• Experience in social equity (e.g., emergency management, housing), health equity, or digital equity. 
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and summarize complex information—including data findings and provisions in federal and state legislation—into a coherent and accurate written product.
• Strong skills in data management, digital content curation, and familiarity with developing and maintaining digital libraries and databases.
• Proficiency in social science statistical approach.
• Proficiency in R Studio and/or Python is a plus.
• Proficiency in creating and managing virtual dashboards.
• Proficiency in creating and managing multimedia content, such as podcasts and webinars.
• Experience with data visualization is highly desirable.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Application Submission/Other Information:

All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning May 22, 2026.

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 33231N - Research Analyst 1

Search Contact Name: Yali Pang

Search Contact Email: pangy@vcu.edu