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SalaryAbout the Role: Steven Winter Associates (SWA) is currently seeking a Researcher to support our growing Building Equity Services initiative. Our equity work is rooted in community-engaged research that elevates the needs and priorities of those often underrepresented in the design process. You will focus on supporting research efforts that help projects to effectively accommodate the needs of people with physical, visual, hearing, and cognitive disabilities while also ensuring that built environments are inclusive across other aspects of human diversity, including race, religion, culture, gender, age, disability, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+ identity. If you’re looking to advance your research career with a focus on equity and building performance, this will be a great opportunity.
The proposed annual salary range for this position is 70,000 – 95,000 based on a 40-hour work schedule. The final salary may vary depending on confirmed job-related skills and experience.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Serve as a technical lead to provide Building Equity services, including but not limited to:
- Providing Inclusive Design guidance on a range of projects, including museums, cultural institutions, and other commercial buildings.
- Design and lead community-engaged research efforts through surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, etc.
- Navigate submissions for Institutional Review Boards (IRB), as needed.
- Collect, synthesize, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
- Write industry white papers and publish peer-reviewed journal articles based on completed research.
- Speak at industry and academic conferences to support the dissemination of research-related findings.
- Build a network of potential research collaborators, including universities, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions.
- Seek out business opportunities through both private and public sector projects.
- Build new industry knowledge related to advancing equity in the design of the built environment.
- Identify and stay on top of peer-reviewed journal articles and other available literature related to advancing equity in the design of the built environment.
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, but changes to the role will be discussed if needed.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent education and/or training. Ph.D./Doctorate Degree preferred.
- 2-5 years of experience, in a research related role.
- Intermediate understanding of Universal Design and Inclusive Design.
- Proficiency in analyzing data related to the built environment, including qualitative and quantitative data.
- Previous work in the areas of equity, inclusion, and/or social justice.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to convey research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences in both academic and professional areas.
- Understanding of principles and practices with the built environment, including architecture, construction methods, urban planning, sustainability, and related areas.
Bonus qualifications:
- Experience using data analysis software such as Dedoose, NVivo, etc.
- Competency in graphic design.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign.
- Trained in Human Subjects Research.
Personal qualities:
- Inquisitive in nature; interested in posing and answering unexplored questions.
- Organized and super detail oriented.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment.
- Ability to multitask and manage time efficiently and work independently when required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, maturity, credibility, confidence, and integrity.
- Collaborative with strong focus on teamwork.
TRAVEL REQUIRED: Minimal travel will be required for this position, from 10-15% of the time depending on client/project needs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The working environment for this position will be decided on a case-by-case basis . Options for virtual,hybrid, and in-office placement are available.
BENEFITS & PERKS - SWA invests in our people, and we have designed a benefits package tailored to meet the needs of our diverse team.
COMPANY PRINCIPLES - Be visionary. Foster camaraderie. Take ownership. Think holistically. Improve the built environment.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Performance will be evaluated against this job description, competencies for this level, and mutually agreed goals.
EEO STATEMENT: SWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or marital status.
DEI STATEMENT: SWA is a workplace where we are aware and welcoming of the ways in which we are all diverse as evidenced by a culture of listening and understanding. We endeavor to create a workplace where people feel empowered to act; a safe place where people are open to discussing different views; ongoing education opportunities around diversity, equity, and inclusion; and to build a culture of belonging and accountability.
ABOUT US: Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) provides research, consulting, and advisory services to improve commercial, residential, and multifamily built environments for private and public-sector clients. We specialize in energy, sustainability, and accessibility consulting as well as certification, research & development, and compliance services. Our team of professionals has led the way since 1972 in the development of best practices to achieve high performance buildings. For further information on Steven Winter Associates, please visit www.swinter.com.
