Research Associate

At Mather, we're reimagining what it means to age well through award-winning wellness innovation, applied research, and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for older adults to thrive. Mather Institute, a recognized leader in aging and senior living research, advances evidence-based insights that inform programs, services, and initiatives across wellness, engagement, workforce development, and social connection. As a Senior Research Associate, you will lead and manage research projects from concept through dissemination, partnering with internal teams, academic collaborators, and industry leaders to translate data into practical solutions. This role is ideal for a researcher who enjoys balancing independent project ownership with cross-functional collaboration, thrives in a dynamic applied research environment, and is passionate about making research accessible, and actionable. Early opportunities may include research on social connection and other wellness behaviors, such as physical activity, sleep, stress reduction, and healthy eating. We are seeking an adaptive and intellectually curious professional with exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong quantitative research expertise, proficiency in SPSS and database management, and a completed doctoral degree in social psychology, sociology, public health, or another health-related field. If you're excited by the opportunity to conduct research that influences practice, drives innovation, and contributes to the future of aging services, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a full-time, salaried hybrid role that includes regular travel to support research initiatives, partner collaboration, conferences, and project work across Mather locations in Illinois, Arizona, and Virginia.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct Research Programs and Initiatives: Conceptualize and lead implementation of new pilot research projects and research-related initiatives in senior living or the broader community.
• External partnership management: Develop partnerships with external research entities, lead collaborative research efforts with external partners, ensure project objectives and deadlines are met per timeline.
• Independent Research Management: Lead research projects and initiatives, management of day-to-day operations and implementation of multiple research programs, including content development/revisions, research and analysis, marketing, scheduling, implementation, and evaluation.
• Research Administration: Perform various internal and external research assignments. Collaborate with Mather researchers/staff regarding research design, instrument development, data collection, database development, data management, data collection, data analyses, and human subjects.