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Research Associate, Higher Education in Prison (Part-Time)

About NASH:

Founded in 1979, the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) works to advance the role of multi-campus systems and the concept of “systemness” to create a more vibrant and resilient higher education sector. NASH’s member systems are comprised of more than 700 institutions and serve more than 7.5 million students in nearly every state in the nation. To learn more about NASH visit www.nash.edu.

Job Description:

The NASH Research Associate will work under the supervision of the Institute for Systems Innovation and Improvement Program Manager to manage a research initiative focused on the role of public higher education systems in delivering higher education to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. This is a one-year term position, with the possibility of extension based on available funding.

The Research Associate will design and conduct research on the landscape of higher education systems in prison education, leading to the publication of a report and practical tools to advance public higher education systems’ engagement with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. A public-facing report will focus on systemic approaches to prison education and will discuss needs and gaps in programming and supports, challenges related to implementation of state and federal funding, and the actual and potential roles of state systems in the implementation of higher education in prison. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, excellent writing skills, and experience with or knowledge of higher education in prison.

This part-time role requires a proactive candidate capable of managing responsibilities independently, with minimal oversight and guidance. The Research Associate will also collaborate closely with NASH staff, including other staff and contractors supporting the work of the Institute, as well as external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

  • In collaboration with the Institute for Systems Innovation and Improvement team members, design and execute research on higher education systems serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection, including accessing existing state and institutional data sources and assessing its utility for project needs, conducting interviews and surveys with faculty, administrators, and justice-involved students, and supporting advanced data analytics activities.
  • Draft and edit high-quality reports, resources, dashboards, and/or presentations synthesizing research for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Develop and nurture relationships with key partners, including faculty administrators and organizational leaders in the field.
  • Prepare and present key findings and recommendations to stakeholders throughout the project.
  • Represent NASH in the field including presenting on the research at meetings, conferences, and contracted client and member engagements at the Institute Manager or Director’s request.

Other duties as assigned commensurate with the incumbent’s qualifications and skills.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies:

As no individual candidate meets every qualification, we encourage candidates who meet most of these requirements to apply:

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field with demonstrated expertise in research.
  • Experience with or knowledge of prison education or criminal justice
  • Experience with data collection and analysis methodologies and techniques
  • Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data and research findings to deliver clear, well-structured reports and presentations.
  • Excellent technology skills, particularly with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive), Google Workspace, and Zoom
  • Comfort in a dynamic and remote working environment and ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
  • Discretion in handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality

 

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working in a public higher education context
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills and a customer service-oriented approach to supporting internal and external stakeholders
  • Professionalism in written and oral communications, with the ability to interact collegially with a range of coworkers, members, and partners
  • Familiarity with GIS, or other data visualization or interactive mapping tools

Work Location

This position is Fully Remote. At present, NASH staff work remotely across the Unites States in a variety of time zones. The majority of virtual meetings are scheduled between 11am - 5pm ET to accommodate this geographic diversity.

If required by NASH, travel conducted as part of this engagement will be reimbursed according to our travel policies.

Salary and Benefits

This is a part-time, independent contractor position and therefore ineligible for any benefits. The contract will be commensurate with the candidate’s availability, experience, and demonstrated skill level.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit their materials via email to the Director of the NASH Institute for Systems Innovation and Improvement, Daniel Knox, at hiring@nash.edu. For priority consideration, candidate materials should be submitted no later than December 15, 2024:

  • A cover letter stating candidate interest and relevant experience
  • Resume or CV
  • Writing sample or publication
  • Finalists will be asked to provide at least one professional reference

NASH is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and believes that recruiting and developing a diverse and inclusive staff and contractor pool is vital to the organization’s success. We seek a rich, diverse candidate pool, and recognize that a successful candidate may sometimes come from a less traditional career trajectory. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every one of our preferred qualifications.