Institutional Research Director - Assistant jobs in Lafayette, LA

Position Title: Assistant Director of Research

Department: 9261|Kathleen B Blanco Public Policy Ctr

Responsibilities:

To support a growing portfolio of research, the Blanco Center has established targeted Research Programs with each capturing a thematic area of research. The Assistant Director of Research is responsible for managing one of these Research Programs including relevant grants, contracted research, and other externally funded research projects related to the designated research program. In addition, the Assistant Director of Research 

• Collaborates with the Research Director and other senior staff researchers to implement quality assurance and quality control processes and improve those over time to ensure high quality of research and other work products of the Blanco Center.
• Contributes to the Blanco Center as a thought leader, taking on a primary role in the design and completion of research projects.
• Supports the Research Director and Executive Director to facilitate effective management of grant budgets as well as coordination of staffing and other Blanco Center resources between the Research Program and other Blanco Center research and activities.
• May serve as a PI, or Co-PI on new proposals and holds responsibility for all aspects of management for research projects within the designated Research Program including quality control.
• Represents the Blanco Center at meetings with external partners and research sponsors.
• Manages the research staff assigned to work on related research and will partner to cultivate a culture of collaboration both within the Research Program and more broadly across the Blanco Center and with external collaborators and partners.
• Partners with Research Director and with research staff to develop a research plan including timelines and major tasks necessary to complete project deliverables, track progress and ensure timely completion of major milestones and final deliverables.
• Supervises and/or works with staff to interpret data, write reports, make constructive recommendations, and identify places within the project where additional support from other Blanco Center staff is needed and request that support from the Research Director.
• Asks the Research Director for additional support when necessary to accomplish the goals of projects within the designated Research Program.
• Successful candidates will be adept at project management and have demonstrated the ability to manage and direct technical aspects of a range of research projects.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• PhD or other terminal degree in Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology or related field
• OR a graduate degree with a minimum of 4 years of work experience in social science research will substitute for the PhD requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to lead independent research, exceptional written and oral communication skills, advanced analytical skills, and strong computer software skills (including, but not limited to, statistical software). 
• Demonstrated record of creativity in problem solving. 
• Demonstrated record of self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively in teams. 
• Prior experience in project management with a high degree of competency in project management and creativity in problem solving. 

Job Ad# (req2586)