Research Scientist

Committee for Children

$84K — $100K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in K-12 program evaluation or product research.
  • Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or related field.
  • Experience with applied research for product development and program design.
  • Knowledge of K-12 education and social-emotional learning.
  • Proficient in designing and implementing various research instruments.
  • Strong background in statistical analysis and research ethics with IRBs.
  • Ability to communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct literature reviews in education, psychology, and related fields to inform product development.
  • Identify emerging needs in education through exploratory research.
  • Translate research into actionable recommendations for product design.
  • Validate product concepts through user feedback and prototype evaluations.
  • Manage research initiatives, including timelines and deliverables.
  • Design data collection tools such as surveys and focus group protocols.
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to extract insights and visualizations.

Benefits

  • 100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees.
  • Retirement plan with a company match up to 3%.
  • Flexible work subsidy for personal expenses.
  • 16 paid holidays plus 3 weeks of vacation in the first year.
  • Monthly contributions for childcare or dependent expenses.
  • Sabbatical leave and parental leave options available.
  • Comprehensive wellness and development programs.
Full Job Description
As a Research Scientist at CFC, you9ll provide expertise in social-emotional learning, education, and child development research to support the Innovation Team in the design and development of new K-12 programs and solutions. This role conducts literature reviews and product evaluations (including user-centered research, pilot studies, field tests) to generate actionable insights that inform product development across a variety of content areas. The Research Scientist collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to help identify emerging needs, test new concepts, and support development of evidence-based products that improve outcomes for students.

What you9ll do when you join us:
  • Conduct literature reviews across relevant disciplines, including education, developmental psychology, neuroscience, prevention science, and educational technology and synthesize findings to inform product development.
  • Conduct exploratory research to identify emerging student, educator, and market needs that may inform future product innovation.
  • Translate research evidence into practical recommendations that support product design, content development, and implementation strategies.
  • Conduct concept testing, prototype evaluations, and user feedback studies to validate product opportunities and inform iterative design decisions.
  • Develop and manage research plans, timelines, and deliverables for assigned research initiatives
  • Design and develop data collection instruments, including surveys, focus group and interview protocols.
  • Collect and manage quantitative and qualitative data in accordance with established research protocols.
  • Conduct descriptive and inferential analyses using appropriate statistical methods.
  • Interpret findings, create data visualizations, and identify meaningful insights, trends, and implications for product improvement.
  • Prepare research reports, presentations, summaries, and other deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure research practices, instruments, and reporting consider inclusivity, representation, and potential sources of bias.
  • Collaborate with Innovation Team members, including product manager, instructional designers, editors and other team members, to identify user needs, validate assumptions, and incorporate research findings throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Listen actively and seek to understand diverse perspectives and experiences.
  • Navigate differing viewpoints constructively and contribute to productive discussions.
  • Communicate research findings in ways that support shared understanding among technical and non-technical audiences.

Here9s what we9re looking for:
  • 3+ years of experience conducting program evaluation involving K-12 schools, product research, or related research activities
  • Master9s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Research Methods, or related field required.
  • Experience conducting applied research to support product development, innovation, program design, or continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Knowledge of K-12 education, social-emotional learning, child development, mental health or related areas
  • Experience designing and implementing surveys, interview and focus group protocols, and other research instruments.
  • Experience working with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), including preparing and submitting research protocols, informed consent and assent materials, recruitment materials, and related documentation to support ethical review and approval of research involving human participants.
  • Strong knowledge of descriptive and inferential analysis techniques.
  • Knowledge of principles related to equity, inclusion, representation, and bias in research.
  • Ability to communicate research findings through repots, presentations, and stakeholder discussion.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Applications (e.g., Excel, Forms) and statistical and qualitative analytical software such as SPSS, R, NVivo or similar research tools.
  • Travel Requirements: This role requires occasional travel to the Seattle office for team meetings, all-staff events, and data collection activities, typically 2 to 4 times per year.

Note: This position is remote; employees are eligible to work remotely in any of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA.

The hiring range for this position is $84,000-100,000 annually. The pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.

What we offer

Our benefits, perks, and rewards are aimed at helping you live your best life at CFC.
  • We cover 100% of your premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage and 50% for your dependent9s medical and dental premiums
  • Retirement plan + company match up to 3%; CFC
  • A flexible work subsidy: $100 per month that you can use on things like phone and internet costs, office supplies, or even commuting costs
  • 16 paid holidays (including winter break and 1 floating holiday), 3 weeks9 vacation in your first year, and separate sick leave accrual
  • Other great benefits include: monthly contribution to childcare and/or dependent expenses, FSA account, parental leave, sabbatical leave, employee assistance program, annual wellness reimbursement, growth and development opportunities, disability and life insurance.

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