Associate Researcher / Full Researcher - Center for the Transformation of Schools(CTS)

Position overview

Position title :

Associate Researcher / Full Researcher

Salary range :

See Table 13-B () for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $116,200 - $169,700.

Application Window

Open date : September 19, 2025

Next review date : Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

Job Summary Statement :

The Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) at UCLA's School of Education and Information Studies (Ed&IS) is dedicated to partnering with the education ecosystem to bring about systems change through Humanizing Research, Validating Practices, and Transformative Policies with key stakeholders to support equitable educational outcomes for all students. Our vision is to be a catalyst for learning communities to boldly nurture and protect the dignity, wellbeing, and full potential of all students.

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading research programs, projects, and new initiatives in CTS. The Executive Director will be the leader in research administration for CTS in securing independent funding and carrying out the research initiatives of the center. The Executive Director will provide research project management and participate in the design and implementation of educational research, evaluation, and assessment studies. The Executive Director will develop grant proposals in collaboration with Project Directors and Senior Director of Operations & Administration, develop research instrument;, manage and delegate implementation of data collection efforts, supervise and manage data being entered into computerized database; analyze qualitative and quantitative data to generate findings; arrange and conduct site visits; prepare and deliver project presentations; support in preparing effort reports and other key documents for granting agencies; and assist with distribution and dissemination of research findings to key stakeholders as well as state and local government officials. The Executive Director will report to the Co-Faculty Director of CTS.

Key Responsibilities :

• Direct the research efforts for Center for the Transformation of Schools with the Center's Co-Faculty Directors.
• In collaboration with Project Directors and Senior Director of Operations & Administration support research administrative activities in CTS including but not limited to : developing research proposals to secure funding, managing and facilitating research tied to projects in CTS, track and manage effort reporting for funding in CTS to adhere to University and granting agency policies and procedures.
• Lead role in revenue generation and securing extramural funding for CTS
• Lead efforts to collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings to broader audiences of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers and other engaged stakeholders.
• Build research-practice partnerships with universities across the United States and abroad, along with collaborating schools and / or districts (e.g., educators and administrators) to ensure proposed research projects are both meaningful and relevant to the interest / needs of CTS.
• Cultivate and oversee key philanthropic relationships to advance the Center's growing research agenda.
• Develop and lead the composition of research focused grant proposals.
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that have conducted research and have established measures of various aspects of social- emotional learning.
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that can complement emerging knowledge.
• Conduct intensive research (e.g., observations, interviews, surveys, documentation of educators' perspectives, and documentation of student learning);
• Lead IRB processes.
• Write peer-reviewed journal articles, blogs, book chapters, etc.
• Present at conferences locally, nationally and internally.
• In collaboration with Senior Director of Operations & Administration, support the development of project budgets.
• Create and uphold a strong research agenda as evidenced by publications and external and internal grant support.
• Manage research team in collaboration with Senior Director of Operations & Administration including Senior Project Scientists, team of Graduate Student Researchers, and other research administrative team members.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications :

Salary

See Table 13-B () for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $116,200 - $169,700.

Application Requirements :

SKAC (Skills, Knowledge, Attitudes, Competency)

Preferred

elementary or secondary education, bilingual / multicultural education, special education, applied linguistics, or a related field.

Required

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter - Please include your research interests and experience.

Statement of Research

Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows :

Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles

Expand our reach as a global university

Enhance our research and creative activities

Elevate how we teach

Become a more effective institution

Prompt for candidates for recruitment :

Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Sample Publications (2 to 3)

Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

Please submit names and emails of the reference you wish to reach out to. This will auto generate an email with directions to them to request a letter of recommendation from them.

Apply link : JPF10611

Help contact : About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

Job location

Los Angeles, CA