Job Description

Posting Number

RTF00255PO25

USC Market Title

Research Associate

Link to USC Market Title

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156388

Business Title (Internal Title)

Research Associate Project Dial

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

College of Education

Department

CED Educational & Developmental Science

Advertised Salary Range

Salary commensurate with qualifications.

Location of Vacancy

This is a remote position.

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

Standard working schedule: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Type of Staff Position

Staff Research Grant (SRGP)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Other Professional


About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service -- helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.


Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement

Yes

State Insurance Programs

Yes

Annual Leave

Yes

Sick Leave

Yes


Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The research associate will coordinate the DIAL Project including collaborating with the PI and Co-PIs, communicating with partner schools and scheduling project activities (e.g., training, data collection), scheduling and running project meetings, coordinating advisory board activities and communication, scheduling training for graduate and undergraduate students, monitoring cross-site implementation, monitoring the activities outlined in the dissemination plan, maintaining project-related timelines, coordinating and conducting classroom observations, and managing day-to-day project related tasks.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Requires a master's degree in area of research specialty.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Education, Psychology, or a related field, with specialization in special education, developmental science, or program evaluation.

Research Management:

Demonstrated experience coordinating large-scale, multi-site research projects and managing communication among diverse partners, including universities, school districts, and advisory boards.

Data and Evaluation Skills:

Proven expertise in classroom observation, implementation fidelity assessment, and both quantitative and qualitative research methods (e.g., SPSS, Mplus).

Leadership and Organization:

Strong ability to supervise research staff, manage complex project timelines, and ensure compliance with research protocols and deliverables.

Dissemination:

Documented experience leading dissemination activities, including manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and stakeholder communications.

Communication:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated effectiveness engaging diverse audiences.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge:

Research design, implementation, and evaluation in educational or behavioral science contexts, including special education and school-based interventions. Federal grant management procedures, reporting, compliance, and documentation requirements. Data collection protocols, human subjects protections (IRB), and ethical research practices. Educational research software and data systems (e.g., SPSS, Mplus, Qualtrics, REDCap) and dissemination strategies for federally funded research, including open-access and publication processes.

Skills:

Project management, including coordination of timelines, tasks, and teams across multiple institutions. Effective communication and collaboration with investigators, advisory boards, and school partners. Organization and facilitation of meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions. Data management, analysis, and documentation of research progress; monitoring of implementation fidelity. Proficiency with digital collaboration platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace) and strong professional writing skills.

Abilities:

Work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team. Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate research assistants effectively. Manage complex schedules, logistics, and deliverables across sites. Translate research objectives into actionable plans while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail. Adapt to evolving project needs and timelines, including travel to project sites and professional conferences as required.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Project Coordination and Management

Coordinate multi-site project activities across partner universities and school districts, ensuring adherence to research protocols, timelines, and deliverables. Collaborate with principal and co-principal investigators to ensure consistent implementation, communication, and reporting across all sites. Maintain project documentation, timelines, and milestone tracking for deliverables and dissemination efforts. Plan, schedule, and lead project meetings, including coordination with advisory board members, project staff, and research partners.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

40

Job Duty

Research Implementation and Oversight

Oversee implementation fidelity by monitoring training, intervention, and data collection activities across school sites. Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate research assistants, providing guidance on data collection, classroom observation, and research best practices. Coordinate and conduct classroom observations and other field-based data collection activities in alignment with project research goals.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

25

Job Duty

Communication and Collaboration

Serve as primary liaison between the University of South Carolina research team, collaborating institutions, and partner schools. Facilitate communication among internal and external stakeholders to support smooth project operations and accountability.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Job Duty

Reporting and Dissemination

Assist in preparation of project reports, manuscripts, and dissemination materials, including conference presentations and open-access publications. Support dissemination and outreach efforts, including contributions to the project website, social media updates, and stakeholder communications.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

15


Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

No


Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

12/01/2025

Position End Date

Job Open Date

11/14/2025

Job Close Date

11/21/2025

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by

November 21, 2025.

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/197542

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.