Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.
 
Westat is seeking a Sr. Research Associate to manage key aspects of multimode data collection projects and direct data processing and management operations for research studies from the planning stage through data delivery to Westat's clients. 

Job Responsibilities: 
• Participate with senior leadership team to plan survey data collection, management, and delivery operations through all project phases.
• Assume responsibility for and oversee critical stages of data management and technical operations for multimode projects.
• Manage budgets and support development of technical, staffing, and cost proposals.
• Keep the project activities on schedule and within budget.
• Develop and provide expertise for each study on research operations, stewardship of the collected data and metadata for a variety of studies, and the optimal application of a variety of methods for post-collection processing of survey data. 
• Contribute to report results for publication and participate in industry conferences.

Basic Qualifications:
• A Master's degree in a social science discipline (such as sociology, economics, or psychology), or a quantitative field, and 10 years of experience or a PhD with 5 years of experience.  

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience, leadership and broad knowledge in the area of survey research, data collection operations, or research project management
• Experience managing large datasets, overseeing survey research tasks, and knowledge of software (such as SQL, SAS, or R)
• Experience in metadata management, data harmonization and transformation;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate across multiple audiences, both technical and non-technical, on project-related issues.  

Candidates must have excellent organizational skills; the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; be detail-oriented; and work well in a fast-paced team environment.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Eligible employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holiday Leave
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

 

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.