SRI Education is committed to bringing rigorous research and evaluation data to bear on important educational policy and practice decisions that ultimately benefit practitioners, students, and families. SRI Education, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, is looking for temporary, part-time research assistants to conduct assessments and observations with preschool and kindergarten children.

The Education Research Assistant, Assessor (Preschool/Kindergarten in Charlotte, NC) position offers a great opportunity to gain valuable child assessment skills and observation experience using standardized measures. Applicants should have experience conducting research and/or working with children in preschool and elementary school settings. Assessments and observations will be conducted in schools in fall and spring of the 2025-2026 school year. Training and certification on the assessment and observation instruments will be provided in July and August of 2025 (Up to 6 virtual training dates). Successful applicants will be paid for their training as well as for time conducting assessments, observations, and other research activities. This is a temporary position starting in July 2025 and ending in May 2026. 

• Attend up to six training days in July/August to prepare for data collection responsibilities.
• Conduct direct child assessments and observations during fall and spring data collection periods (Fall = July – December; Spring = March-May).
• Communicate with SRI project manager and teachers to schedule data collection activities.
• Enter data into a web-based database.
• Must be willing and able to travel in-person to school sites and conduct assessments 1:1 with students outside the classroom.

The position is estimated to require approximately 18-24 hours per week.  

• Some undergraduate coursework in psychology, education, social work or early childhood.
• Strong organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with children (e.g., as a teacher or assistant teacher in an elementary school, conducting assessments with children, working in afterschool programs).
• Access to a car or reliable transportation, as data collectors are expected to drive to participating schools.
• Access to a computer/digital device and reliable internet.
• Willingness to complete all security measures and training required by the study.
• Morning & early afternoon availability (8am-1pm) at least three days a week, Monday through Friday.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with research (conducting observations, assessments)
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish

The pay is: $30.00/hr.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.