Behavioral Science Research Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Posting Information
Posting Information
Posting Number
2026757
Posting/Functional Title
Social Science Researcher
University Pay Plan Title
Grant Specialist
Location
San Marcos
Department
Texas School Safety Center
Recruitment Type
Open Recruiting
Job Type
Full-Time
Funding Source
Permanent
Monthly Salary
$4,250-$6,117
Job Category
Exempt
Required Qualifications: Applicants must specifically address how they meet these required qualifications to meet the requirements of the position.

• Master's Degree in criminology, education, psychology, sociology, public policy, or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience conducting applied social science research or educational research.
• Demonstrated experience designing and applying social science research methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience developing data collection instruments for social sciences (e.g., surveys, interview protocols, or rubrics, etc.), including managing surveys with standard survey software (e.g., Qualtrics).
• Demonstrated experience applying quantitative social science techniques (e.g., regression, ANOVA, etc.) using software packages (e.g., SPSS).
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative analysis techniques and software packages (e.g., NVivo).
• Highly attentive to detail and organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience conducting research directly related to educational environments.
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience conducting applied social science research or educational research.
• Documented educational training or research experience related to one or more of the following fields: mental health in school-aged children, youth involvement in school safety, school-based law enforcement, or behavioral threat assessments.
• Demonstrated experience in technical, public policy, and/or legislative writing (outside of work related to academic degree).
• Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following techniques: meta-analysis, advanced statistical sampling, and survey validation.
• Experience navigating Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and human subjects protection protocols in educational or community settings.
• Documented authorship in peer-reviewed journal(s).
• Documented experience writing grant proposals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code.
• Demonstrated experience working with external collaborators and/or research participants on projects not associated with course work.

Job Description
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is an official university-level research center at Texas State University. The TxSSC is tasked in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code and the Governor's Homeland Security Strategic Plan with key school safety initiatives and mandates. The TxSSC serves as the clearinghouse for the dissemination of safety and security information through research, training, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and junior colleges throughout the state of Texas. As a result, Texas has become a national leader in school safety practices and is relied upon for assistance and guidance from jurisdictions throughout the nation.
The TxSSC welcomes highly qualified candidates to apply for a Social Science Researcher position in the Research and Evaluation (R&E) Division. The primary responsibility of this position is to conduct scholarly research focused on school safety and security. The R&E Division is currently involved in projects connected to leadership and incident command during emergency situations, security personnel on school campuses, emergency planning for students, gun storage practices, teacher victimization, and school behavioral threat assessment.
The successful candidate will expand the capabilities of the TxSSC and have the unique opportunity to be part of a collaborative team who support each other in project conceptualization, study design, field implementation (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods), analysis, and dissemination of research and evaluation findings to various stakeholder groups. All research and evaluation efforts aim to ensure that schools and communities across Texas are safe, secure, and healthy learning environments.
Job Duties

• Design appropriate methodologies to address topics related to school safety and security.
• Conduct literature reviews on topics related to school safety and security.
• Design and administer data collection procedures including surveys, focus groups, and interview protocols, as well as other appropriate data collection procedures.
• Conduct rigorous mixed-methods analysis, synthesizing quantitative survey results with qualitative narrative data.
• Stay current on innovative social science research methodologies and field-based data collection strategies.
• Disseminate information clearly and concisely in verbal and written formats to a variety of stakeholders including researchers and practitioners.
• Develop and contribute to written reports for internal and external stakeholders, scholarly articles for peer-reviewed journals, grant proposals for private and government entities, scholarly presentations for national and state conferences, and other research-related products.
• Organize project materials by keeping detailed records to ensure research activities are well-documented.
• Provide training and support for other team members on qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques.
• Assist in survey administration, sample design, and dataset curation for annual statewide surveys and TxSSC trainings and events as needed; assist with training evaluations and yearly assessments of programs and activities as needed.
• Provide technical support to school stakeholders and internal staff in a professional manner.
• Work collaboratively and professionally with all divisions of the TxSSC.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information to Applicants

• This position is an office-based role in San Marcos, Texas.
• You will be required to electronically attach a resume, cover letter, and one example of your academic, technical, and/or public policy writing to the application.
• In your resume and cover letter, please discuss specific experiences that demonstrate the required and, when applicable to your background, preferred qualifications for this role.
• Occasional travel for data collection, conferences, and/or meetings required.
• If selected for an interview, it will be conducted in person. During the interview process, you will be required to independently complete tasks involving writing and the application of knowledge about research methodologies, project design, and/or analytical strategies.

Job Open Date
08/26/2026
Job Close Date (posting closes at midnight)
09/20/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Normal Work Days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Normal Work Hours Start
8:00AM
Normal Work Hours End
5:00PM
Posting Notices
Legal and Required Notices
Texas State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions.
Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.
In accordance with federal law, all new employees must complete the Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation verifying their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Texas State University participates in E-Verify, and employment is contingent upon the successful verification of work authorization. Employees are required to maintain valid work authorization to satisfy the conditions of Form I9 at all times during their employment and the university makes no implicit or explicit promises to financially support visa or permanent residency applications.
Why Choose Texas State University?
Join the Texas State Bobcat team and experience a career that offers more than just a job-it's a path to a brighter future. As a Texas State employee, you'll enjoy:
Exceptional Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance with 100% premium coverage for employees and 50% for dependents, starting on your first day.
Generous Time Off: Enjoy vacation, holidays, sick leave, and more to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Wellness and Balance: Access a FREE wellness program, plus mother and family-friendly resources to support your personal well-being.
Professional Growth: Explore a wide range of training, development courses, certifications, and educational support programs.
Welcoming Campus: Become part of a vibrant Bobcat community with numerous social and professional networks.
Tuition Benefits: Take advantage of tuition support for yourself and for your dependent children, making higher education more accessible for your family.
Retirement Security: Secure your future with TRS pension, retirement plans, and voluntary savings options with strong employer contributions.
At Texas State University, you're not just an employee-you're a valued member of a thriving and beautiful campus community. Start your journey with us today. https://www.hr.txst.edu/benefits.html
Quick Link
https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/58281