Reports to: Vice President of Policy & Impact
Type, Time and Location Requirements: Full Time, Exempt, Hybrid, with some travel expectations
Job Summary:
The Researcher will play a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to improve access to quality education and strengthen social and economic mobility for Northern New Mexico. The Researcher will play a critical role in measuring the impact of LANL Foundation programs and informing implementation of our strategic direction. This individual is responsible for designing research methodologies, collecting qualitative and quantitative data, and synthesizing findings into actionable insights. The Researcher will support the organization by providing the evidence base and publications needed for grant reporting, advocacy campaigns, and program improvements. The role involves designing and conducting research focused on teaching and learning outcomes, education policy, school systems, and community-based education initiatives. The researcher will generate actionable insights and recommendations that inform program design, advocacy efforts, and policy recommendations at regional, state, and national levels.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Education Research & Analysis
- Develop rigorous research plans, survey instruments, and interview protocols aligned with the organization’s strategic goals.
- Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research related to education access, learning outcomes, teacher training, curriculum effectiveness, education equity, and other areas related to the LANL Foundation programs and advocacy efforts.
- Perform needs assessments, baseline studies, and impact evaluations for programs, organizational improvement, and advocacy efforts.
- Analyze trends in education policy, funding, and system performance across Northern New Mexico and the state.
- Collect and analyze data from schools, communities, Tribes, government partners, and education stakeholders.
- Conduct primary research, including focus groups, key informant interviews, and community surveys.
- Perform secondary research, including literature reviews and analysis of public datasets (e.g., census data, sector-specific reports).
- Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical standards and protect the confidentiality of participants.
Data Analysis & Evaluation
- Clean, organize, and maintain large datasets to ensure data integrity.
- Analyze quantitative data using statistical software (e.g., Excel, R, or JMP) to identify trends, correlations, and outcomes.
- Analyze qualitative data to extract themes and narratives that support the organization’s mission, programs and advocacy efforts.
- Assist in the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of current programs, grant-making, and advocacy efforts to measure efficacy and impact.
Reporting & Communication
- Draft high-quality research reports, policy briefs, and white papers for diverse audiences (board members, donors, policymakers, and the general public).
- Create visual data representations, such as charts, infographics, and dashboards, to make complex data accessible.
- Collaborate with the Development team and other foundation staff to provide data points and impact narratives for grant proposals and donor reports.
- Present findings to internal stakeholders and external partners at conferences or community meetings.
Strategy & Support
- Stay up-to-date on emerging trends, best practices, and policy changes relevant to the mission, vision, strategic map, programs, grant-making and advocacy efforts of the LANL Foundation.
- Provide ad-hoc research support to the President & CEO to aid in decision-making.
Knowledge Production & Publications
- Create a data strategy that will allow the LANL Foundation to:
- Produce high-quality research outputs, including reports, policy briefs, case studies, and evidence syntheses focused on education.
- Draft technical inputs for grant proposals and donor reports.
- Translate research findings into accessible insights for educators, policymakers, and community partners.
Program Support & Evaluation
- Provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen intervention models (e.g., teacher capacity-building, early childhood development, middle school or youth leadership initiatives).
- Support the design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks.
- Collaborate with foundation teams to integrate research findings into program refinement, improved advocacy, and strategic planning.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with local education authorities, schools, communities, Tribes, partner organizations, and research institutions.
- Present research findings at internal meetings, stakeholder workshops, and education conferences.
- Support advocacy campaigns with evidence-driven messaging and analysis.
Research Ethics & Data Management
- Maintain rigorous documentation of data collection processes and methodologies.
- Ensure that all research complies with ethical guidelines, including child protection standards, informed consent, and data privacy protocols.
- Manage datasets, educational assessments, and research records securely and efficiently.
Eligibility Requirements:
Educational and Professional Experience Combined with a Learning Orientation
- Masters Degree required (PhD preferred) in Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Statistics, Economics, or related fields.
- At least five years experience conducting research related to education systems, learning outcomes, or educational policy.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
- Excellent writing and communication skills, particularly in translating complex data into practical insights for various audiences including data visualization.
- Proficiency with education-related research tools (e.g., statistical software, assessment instruments, survey platforms).
- Ability to conduct fieldwork in school and community settings.
Mission Driven and Community Centered
- Strong commitment to the vision, mission and guiding principles of the Foundation.
- Familiarity with the diversity of northern New Mexico communities required, including prior knowledge and experience working with Native American Tribes, Pueblos and Nations, Native communities as well as Hispanic and Latino communities.
Team Oriented and Positive Communication Skills
- Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills including the ability to foster and encourage collaboration and work as part of a team
- Emotionally intelligent with the ability to effectively manage conflict
- Culturally competent and aware with ability to communicate and work effectively across multicultural settings and with a wide range of constituencies
- Strong ethical standards and integrity
- Strong organizing and facilitation skills with experience in setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Detail oriented, organized, and resourceful with ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including ability to edit
- Sense of humor
Technical Skills, References and Writing
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, One Drive, Google drive and Google documents
- Proficient in statistical software (e.g. Excel, R, JMP)
- Valid and unrestricted NM driver’s license
- Three (3) professional references provided
- One (1) writing samples related to the job description
Compensation:
The compensation range for this position is based on education and relevant experience. The generous benefits package includes health, education, dental, vision, disability, and life insurances, retirement, vacation, extended leave every 7 years, parental leave, and sick leave. The LANL Foundation is a friendly and team-oriented environment with flexible hours and a hybrid workplace model (majority remote work, but in either the Santa Fe or Española office, as needed). The LANL Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
To Apply:
Email letter of interest and résumé by February 27, 2026 to jobs@lanlfoundation.org including “Researcher” in the subject line.
Start date: April 1, 2026