A Research Scientist at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) occupies a pivotal role at the intersection of social science, policy, and practice. AIR is a highly respected, nonpartisan, behavioral and social science research and evaluation organization. In this role, you are responsible for designing and executing rigorous research studies, evaluations, and technical assistance projects that directly influence decision-making in critical areas such as education, public health, workforce development, and international development.

The impact of a Research Scientist is substantial. Rather than conducting research in an academic vacuum, your work is designed to solve real-world problems and improve lives. This means your findings will actively shape federal, state, and local policies, guide program implementation, and help client organizations optimize their resources. Whether you are evaluating the efficacy of a new educational curriculum, analyzing healthcare delivery models, or assessing workforce training initiatives, your research provides the empirical foundation for social change.

This position is both intellectually demanding and deeply rewarding. It requires a rare combination of advanced methodological expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate complex scientific findings to diverse, non-technical audiences. At AIR, you will work alongside some of the nation's leading experts in a collaborative, mission-driven environment that prioritizes scientific integrity, objectivity, and equity.

The interview questions for the Research Scientist role are designed to probe your scientific training, methodological rigor, communication skills, and project management capabilities. While questions may vary depending on the specific department or practice area you are applying to, they consistently focus on your ability to conduct high-quality research and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.

Research Methodology & Quantitative Skills

This category evaluates your technical foundation, study design capabilities, and statistical expertise. Interviewers want to ensure you can independently lead research designs and select appropriate analytical frameworks.

• Describe your experience with advanced statistical modeling and specify the software packages (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, SPSS) you are most proficient in using.
• How do you approach designing a quasi-experimental study when a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is not feasible?

Preparing for an interview at AIR requires a dual focus: demonstrating deep technical competence in your research field and showing that you can operate effectively in a fast-paced, client-funded environment. Unlike purely academic roles, AIR values researchers who are agile, collaborative, and highly focused on the practical application of their work.

When preparing, review your past research projects, methodologies, and publications. You must be ready to explain not just what you researched, but why you made specific methodological choices and how those choices impacted the study's validity and policy implications.

Scientific Rigor & Methodological Expertise – Interviewers will closely scrutinize your understanding of research design, statistical methods, and analytical tools. You must be prepared to discuss your quantitative or qualitative training in detail and explain how you apply these methods to complex datasets.

Communication & Translation – At AIR, research must be accessible. You will be evaluated on your ability to present complex scientific concepts clearly to both academic peers and lay audiences. This is tested directly through your writing samples and your formal job talk.

Project & Client Management – Most of AIR's work is contract-based and client-funded. You need to demonstrate that you understand project lifecycles, budget constraints, and the importance of delivering high-quality products on time. Showing an understanding of how federal or state contracts work is a significant advantage.

Mission Alignment & Cultural Fit – AIR is dedicated to improving lives through research. You should show a genuine passion for social science research, a commitment to equity, and a collaborative mindset that thrives in a team-based environment.

The interview process at AIR is thorough, highly structured, and designed to mirror the academic hiring process while assessing your readiness for applied contract research. Candidates should prepare for a multi-stage journey that can span several weeks to a couple of months.

Initially, the process begins with an online application where you are typically required to submit your CV and two writing samples. These samples are critical; one should demonstrate your formal, academic writing (such as a peer-reviewed publication or dissertation chapter), and the other should show your ability to write for a lay audience (such as a policy brief, blog post, or executive summary).

Once your application is screened, you will participate in a brief HR phone interview, followed by a more technical conversation with a hiring manager or senior researcher. The final hurdle is an intensive, virtual or on-site full-day interview. This day is demanding and centers around a formal "job talk" presentation, followed by a series of structured panel and 1:1 interviews with project team members, peers, and senior administrators.

The visual timeline above outlines the typical progression from your initial application through to the final offer stage. You should interpret this as a highly structured, multi-step evaluation where each stage filters for specific competencies. The early stages focus on basic qualifications and writing ability, while the final, full-day panel is a comprehensive test of your scientific depth, communication skills, and cultural fit.

To succeed in the AIR hiring process, you must understand the specific competencies that interviewers are evaluating during each phase of the interview day.

Research Methodology & Statistical Rigor

This area is the foundation of your evaluation. AIR is known for its scientific integrity, and your interviewers will include senior methodologists who will probe the limits of your technical knowledge. You must demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of research design and data analysis.

Be ready to go over:

• Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs – Understanding randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity, propensity score matching, and difference-in-differences.
• Statistical Software Proficiency – Your practical experience executing complex analyses (e.g., hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling) using R, SAS, or Stata.
• Data Management and Quality Control – How you clean, merge, and document large administrative datasets while maintaining data security and integrity.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Small sample size adjustments, power analysis and sample size estimation, and handling high rates of attrition in longitudinal studies.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would conduct a power analysis to determine the necessary sample size for a multi-site cluster randomized trial."
• "How would you address potential selection bias in an evaluation of a voluntary workforce training program?"

The Job Talk (Research Presentation)

The job talk is the most critical component of the interview process. You will be asked to give a 30- to 45-minute presentation on a research project of your choice (typically your dissertation or a recent major study), followed by a rigorous Q&A session with 10 or more AIR staff members, ranging from junior researchers to senior directors.

Be ready to go over:

• Research Question and Context – Clearly defining the problem, its significance, and why your study is necessary.
• Methodological Framework – Defending your study design, data collection methods, and analytical approach.
• Findings and Policy Implications – Explaining what the data showed and what those findings mean for policy, practice, or future research.

Example scenarios:

• "Why did you choose to use a fixed-effects model instead of a random-effects model in this analysis?"
• "How do you justify generalizing the findings of this localized study to a broader national context?"

Scientific & Lay Communication

As a Research Scientist, you must be a bilingual communicator—capable of writing peer-reviewed journal articles for academic audiences and clear, actionable reports for policymakers and practitioners.

Be ready to go over:

• Translating Complex Data – Explaining highly technical statistical findings using simple, clear, and non-jargon-heavy language.
• Writing for Diverse Audiences – Discussing your experience writing different types of deliverables, such as technical appendices, policy briefs, and client presentations.
• Visualizing Information – Using charts, graphs, and infographics effectively to convey key research takeaways.

Example scenarios:

• "Explain the concept of statistical significance and effect size as if you were speaking to a school principal who has no background in statistics."
• "How do you structure a policy brief to ensure that busy decision-makers can quickly grasp the main findings and recommendations?"