Remote Spss Jobs in San Ramon, CA (NOW HIRING)

Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher

Full-time, exempt

$140,000-$150,000

Candidate must live in Washington or California to be eligible.

Magic Cabinet ("MC") is a philanthropic foundation that seeks to fundamentally redefine how philanthropy and nonprofits partner for sustainable and thriving communities. We're looking for a Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher to conduct analysis and share insights that will inform the foundation's ongoing and novel participatory grantmaking programs, our internal innovation incubator (Lab) processes, and the story of our trust-based approach. Reporting to Magic Cabinet's Director of Research, Evaluation, and Lab, the Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher collaborates with the foundation team to transform strategy and systems into amplified impact.

Magic Cabinet's Mission

Magic Cabinet shifts philanthropy to center community.

Magic Cabinet's Vision

We believe that nonprofits, community, and philanthropy can help build a just and equitable world by working in solidarity.

Magic Cabinet's Values

• Ongoing Partnership. We engage in deep, collaborative, long-term relationships through multi-year grants, our investments in nonprofits, and support.
• Equity. We purposefully and actively redistribute power to weigh community voice.
• Trust. We support authentic and reciprocal relationships amongst nonprofit peers.
• Flexibility. We are committed to listening and adapting to ever-changing community needs and contexts.
• Informed Decision Making. We ground ourselves in data and translate research and feedback into innovative practice.

Your role as Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher

The Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher supports the implementation and evolution of the foundation's learning strategy across workstreams, including participatory grantmaking, Philanthropic Solutions, and new projects and pilots. This position will partner closely with the Director of Research, Evaluation, and Lab, as well as outside research and evaluation partners, to conduct foundational and iterative mixed-methods research that informs our work.

Qualitative/Mixed-Methods Researcher responsibilities include:

Research & Evaluation

• Support and carry out the foundation-wide research, evaluation and learning strategy
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation efforts, utilizing tools such as qualitative analysis software (e.g. Atlas.ti, Dovetail) and/or quantitative analysis software (e.g. R, SPSS) as appropriate
• Interpret, critique, and contextualize qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation findings and methods for various audiences
• Support the development and operationalization of systems for a holistic qualitative and quantitative view of our grantmaking
• Coordinate ongoing program evaluation with external evaluation partners, including coordinating survey timing and participant compensation
• Support the development of robust yet flexible research and evaluation frameworks and processes that center equity and reciprocity
• Seek opportunities to learn from and share new approaches, models, and best/promising practices in evaluation and philanthropy
• Monitor and surface varying and evolving needs and opportunities

Sharing & Applying Learnings Internally

• Frame and share complex data and findings to inform team efforts through multimodal communication (e.g. reports, presentations, interactive methods) in a remote/distributed work environment
• Synthesize findings from multiple sources to build and refine our body of foundational learnings
• Collaborate in thought partnership with teams, particularly with regard to applying research findings and through workshop facilitation
• Help the team stay current on conversations and innovations in participatory frameworks, trust-based philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, as well as research and evaluation within and outside philanthropy
• Maintain ongoing research operations, including artifacts (e.g. presentations, documents) and intranet for foundation staff access
• Regularly participate in sharing successes and failures among the team to inform work and the team's continuous learning and improvement
• Participate in and/or lead Magic Cabinet project teams, as capacity allows

Sharing Learnings Externally

• Support collaboration with the communications team to turn findings into stories and reports shared externally
• Present at conferences, workshops, and other community events to share the Magic Cabinet model, approach, and values, and highlight nonprofit partners' work and impact
• Attend and participate as needed in select Magic Cabinet board meetings, retreats, and donor cultivation events as ambassadors of nonprofit partners and Magic Cabinet

Administrative Duties

• Utilize computer and Internet-based software, including spreadsheets, presentation software, project management tools, video conferencing, survey administration, and collaborative documents
• Participate in internal meetings and trainings
• Participate in self- and peer-review processes
• Participate in operational systems and procedures, such as expense tracking and documentation
• All Magic Cabinet staff members are encouraged to participate in the betterment of Magic Cabinet's procedures and processes

Miscellaneous

• Participate in and support other programmatic efforts as needed.
• Staff members may be asked to take on special projects for Magic Cabinet or additional tasks as assigned.

• Participation in meetings

Employee must:

• be able to work a flexible schedule with occasional work early mornings, evenings and/or weekends.
• be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time at home office or events.
• have the ability to operate standard office equipment.
• be able to travel as needed, both locally and to other state(s).

We recognize that professional experience and lived experience both shape how people show up in this work. We strongly value candidates whose personal, cultural, or community experiences inform their understanding of inequity, power, and community-led change, and whose perspectives strengthen our ability to work in accountable partnership with communities.

People come to this work through many paths, and research shows that those from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, especially if you come from communities historically underrepresented in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.

You are well qualified if you have/are:

Research, Evaluation & Learning

• 5+ years of professional work experience architecting and implementing mixed-methods research and/or evaluation work as an internal team member or outside consultant
  
• Experience/familiarity with applying either or both of the following approaches:
  • liberatory research methodologies grounded in Indigenous, critical race, feminist, queer and/or decolonial traditions
  • human-centered design and systems thinking-informed approaches to understanding the interplay of beliefs, behavior, and power dynamics (e.g. applied research such as UX or design research)
• Intellectually curious with a deep respect for learning and a drive for sector-wide improvement
• Excited by new and creative research, learning, and evaluation approaches that center nonprofit goals and community impact
• Experience or familiarity with the nonprofit sector is preferred; direct experience in philanthropy is not required
• Experience/familiarity with Indigenous methods and data sovereignty, Participatory Action Research, trauma-informed research, human-centered design, and/or service design a plus!

Equity & Power Analysis

• Experience working with culturally, economically, and racially diverse groups
• Self-reflective and aware of how history, culture, and power shape experiences and perspectives; committed to engaging in dialogue about their influence and dismantling inequitable dynamics
• Experience planning and facilitating meetings with diverse participants, with attention to power dynamics and equitable participation

Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and independent problem-solving experience, with attention to nuance and complexity
• Strong project management skills
• Goal-oriented with a deep respect for incremental analysis and refinement
• Comfortable with both very detail-oriented independent work and interfacing with external stakeholders
• Ability to take initiative and balance competing priorities, adapting to changing deadlines or priorities, and identifying when to escalate an issue
• Resourceful, with the ability to be effective working independently and with minimal oversight

Communication, Collaboration & Working Style

• An excellent written and oral communicator with a high degree of emotional intelligence
• A team player and collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with various partners and staff graciously and with a sense of humor
• Comfortable working with teams across offices in multiple geographic locations
• The ability to commit to limited amounts of domestic travel

Mission & Context Alignment

• Excited about joining a small, well-funded, and growing foundation; empowered by the prospect of further refining their role on an expanding team
• Passionate about:
  • Shifting power in philanthropy to deepen support for nonprofits and the communities they serve
  • Locally inclusive communities and the nonprofit sector
  • Racial, social, environmental, and economic justice

The Magic Cabinet provides all full-time employees with:

• Medical insurance is covered at 100% for you
  • 90% for your dependents
• Generous dental and vision care stipend for you and your dependents
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Potential to earn a 401(k) bonus each year
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Parental leave program
• The ability to work from the office or home
• Home office stipend for internet and other home office needs
• Foundation-paid continuing education and networking opportunities

Application deadline: 12:00pm (Noon) on May 25th, 2026

Approximate Interview schedule:

• Phone Interview - Week of May 25, 2026
• Panel Interview - June 1 - June 12, 2026
• Final Interview - Week of June 15, 2026

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Magic Cabinet is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate community leadership while cultivating an inclusive environment for all employees.