Position Overview

NCA's Research Associate provides strategic, research, administrative, and programmatic support across multiple areas of the Association, ensuring the effective execution of research initiatives, virtual and in-person programming, grant administration, and data-driven decision-making to enhance member engagement. Under the guidance of the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement, the Research Associate conducts research and data collection, assists in creating member and event surveys, and supports public-facing research translation and resource creation, including surveys and data reports.

The Research Associate assists with public-facing research translation, supports grant programs, and provides administrative support for NCA journals and editors, such as managing the editor application portal, processing stipends, and coordinating mailing lists.

Please submit a two-page resume and a one-page cover letter to research@natcom.org. We will review applications on a rolling basis.

 Key Responsibilities

 Research Council Support

• Research Cultivation Grants: Set up NCA to receive applications, make initial determinations about (in)eligibility, confirm judging criteria with the Council, mutually establish a timeline for judging, inform those selected and not, keep track of finished paperwork, start check requests, and follow up for midterm/final reports.
• NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar: Coordinate and provide support to the host institution with the Director’s supervision. Attend at least one out of three days.
• NCA Midcareer Scholars Writing Retreat: Coordinate and provide support to host institution with the Director’s supervision. Attend at least two out of five days.

Publications Council Support and Journal Work

• Communication Currents: Propose individual articles from NCA journals for approval by the Director and write one monthly (12 per year).
• Request checks for editors, book review editors, associate editors, etc., twice a year for disbursement in January and July.
• Set up submission portal (Reviewr) once a year to receive applications for journal editorships.
• NCA Books: In the process of reading/skimming/scanning journals, be on the lookout for possible ideas for NCA books based on a single article, special issue, or topic found across multiple issues (even multiple journals).
• Mail replacement copies of NCA journals to members for those lost in the mail.
• Produce and send to T&F the latest member mailing list for each journal issue upon request by T&F.
• Mail books for review to book review editors (especially QJS) that get sent to NCA rather than directly to the journal editor or book review editor.

Teaching & Learning Council Support

• Communication Pedagogy Grants: Set up NCA to receive applications, make initial determinations of (in)eligibility, confirm judging criteria with Council, mutually establish a timeline for judging, inform those selected and not, keep track of completed paperwork, start check requests, follow up and document for midterm/final reports.
• Institute for Faculty Development: Coordinate and provide support to the host institution with the Director's supervision. Attend at least two out of five days.
• Department Chairs’ Institute: Coordinate and provide support to host institution with Director supervision. Attend at least two out of five days.
• Doctoral (and other academic program) databases: Maintain/update.
• Advocacy materials: Locate or produce advocacy materials as requested by Director and/or Teaching and Learning Council
• Learning Outcomes update: Support Council and/or Director as needed.
• Sit in on Teaching & Learning Council meetings at the Director's request.

Other research-related work

• Advancing the Discipline Grants: set up NCA to receive applications, make initial determinations about (in)eligibility, confirm judging criteria with committee, mutually establish timeline for judging, inform those selected and not, keep track of finished paperwork, start check requests, follow-up for midterm/final reports.
• Dale Leathers Fund research grants: Set up NCA to receive applications, make initial determinations about (in)eligibility, confirm judging criteria with committee, mutually establish timeline for judging, inform those selected and not, keep track of finished paperwork, start check requests, follow-up for midterm and final reports.
• Jobs/PhDs report: Gather year-round jobs data for the annual report.
• Briefs or reports: As needed, write 3 per year with the Director's approval.
• Convention and membership surveys: Create survey questions, review them with the Director, distribute the survey to the Communications team, compile survey results, and draft a report for Director approval and sharing with the communications team.
• Organize NCA historical archive online and update the doctoral program guide annually, as needed.
• Knowledge of AP style writing.

NCA Website

• Assist the Director in reviewing and expanding all parts of the website related to NCA journals and books. Provide any final approved additions or corrections to the Communications team.
• Assist the Director in reviewing and expanding all parts of the website related to teaching, learning, and academic administration. Provide any final approved additions or corrections to the Communications team.
• Assist the Director in reviewing and expanding all research-related sections of the website. Provide any final approved additions or corrections to the Communications team.
• Assist the Director in reviewing and expanding all parts of the website related to careers (alt-ac, early career, retirement, etc.) and publicly engaged scholars/scholarship. Provide any final approved additions or corrections to the Communications team.
• Write articles for multi-channel usage, if time allows, and by mutual agreement, proposed by the Research Associate or the Director. Provide any final approved additions or corrections to the Communications team.

Convention and Other

• Produce one Public Program per year.
• Work on the Great Ideas for Teaching Students (GIFTS) project with the Director, Communications, and Convention teams.
• Work with the Director, Finance Administrator, and the Senior Director of Convention and Meetings on Student Caucus Travel Grants (submission process, gift cards, etc.).
• Attend the Annual Convention staffing locations and events as requested by the Senior Director, Director of Convention and Meetings, and/or Executive Director.
• Edit/proofread, upon request, reports, articles, and other materials written by the Director.
• Organize and maintain the department’s files in SharePoint.
• Develop student resources (Student Blog, long-term project).
• By mutual agreement with the director, represent NCA at National Humanities Alliance (NHA) and/or Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) advocacy days.
• Other tasks/projects that may arise from time to time, by the direction of the Director or the Executive Director, on an as-needed basis and/or as part of professional development.

Generative-AI literacy and project management skills:

• AI-enabled research, analysis, and knowledge translation: Comfortable using generative AI and other digital tools to support literature review, survey design, data synthesis, public-facing research translation, and workflow efficiency, using a human-in-the-loop approach with a strong understanding of ethical, inclusive, and responsible use; able to work effectively with or without AI as appropriate.
• Visual, digital, and public?facing communication: Ability to translate research into clear, accessible formats using tools (e.g., Canva) and data?visualization platforms for reports, web content, advocacy materials, and member?facing resources, following accessibility and brand standards.
• Project, data, and content management workflows: Advanced use of survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics), project?management systems (e.g., Asana), SharePoint, and website CMSs to manage recurring research programs, maintain high?quality data and records, and support cross?team collaboration and institutional continuity

Performance Expectations

The Research Associate is expected to:

• Execute assigned projects and tasks accurately, on time, and with strong attention to detail.
• Build a schedule in Asana for all projects in coordination with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement.
• Demonstrate excellent research and analytical skills, synthesizing complex information for multiple audiences (members, councils, leadership).
• Proactively communicate progress and challenges of projects and tasks to the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement, ensuring information sharing, transparency, and accountability.
• Collaborate effectively with NCA staff, volunteer leaders, and external partners to advance research, pedagogy, professional development initiatives, and other duties and tasks as needed.
• Uphold NCA’s IDEA commitments in all programs, resources, and communications.
• Maintain organized, accurate records in SharePoint, Asana, and other systems to ensure institutional continuity.
• Represent the Association professionally and ethically in all internal and external interactions.
• Abide by the hybrid work model approved by the Executive Director and communicate with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement when deviation is needed.
• Participate in annual professional development in consultation with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement, and approved by the Executive Director.
• Collaborate with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement to develop annual and long-term individual and departmental goals. The Executive Director will approve the goals.
• Proactively track and communicate progress and challenges of goals with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement.

Key Indicators of Success

Performance in this role will be measured by:

• Project Delivery: Timely completion of projects such as reports, public programs, publications, and grant cycles with minimal rework.
• Project Review: In coordination with the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Development, conduct an annual review of projects such as public programs and grant cycles to ensure NCA standards of IDEA integration, promotion of Communication’s value, and the staff vision of Communication Community are met.
• Research & Publications Impact: Production of high-quality materials (e.g., 12 Communication Currents articles per year; other reports annually) that are accurate, accessible, and impactful.
• Grant Administration Efficiency: Smooth operation of grant cycles (Advancing the Discipline, Research Cultivation, Pedagogy Grants, Student Caucus Travel Grant, Leather’s Fund), including timely setup, communication with applicants, and reporting.
• Data & Reporting Quality: Delivery of accurate, actionable data (Jobs/PhDs report, survey results) that supports organizational decision-making.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Positive feedback from councils, volunteer leaders, and participants regarding responsiveness and program support.
• Collaboration & Communication: Effective teamwork across departments to ensure smooth coordination for programs, publications, and website updates.
• IDEA Integration: Evidence of inclusive practices in programming, resources, and content produced.
• Professional Growth: Demonstrated initiative in expanding skills to strengthen professional experience, departmental outputs, and adapt to evolving NCA needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Communication Studies or a closely related field is required.
• A Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting academic research, including proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• A strong track record of scholarly writing, with publications in peer-reviewed journals or presentations at academic conferences.
• Experience managing research projects, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including scholars, practitioners, and staff.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving research priorities and organizational needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a focus on customer service.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for fostering engagement and supporting a scholarly community.
• An understanding of and commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) principles, aligning with NCA’s strategic initiatives.

Eligibility & Start Date

This position is open to candidates residing in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. Please note that relocation assistance is not available for this role. The anticipated start date for this position is June 2026.

About National Communication Association

NCA represents over 6,000 scholars, teachers, practitioners, and students in the United States and other countries. NCA is a scholarly society founded in 1914 and categorized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million. NCA is a collaborative environment with a staff of 13, where teamwork is valued. For more information about NCA, please visit our website at www.natcom.org.

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