Senior Research Scientist

Company Description

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives. 

EDC’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in EDC’s commitment to respect the dignity of each individual. EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services and products, which contribute to building capacity and transforming lives.  

The School Improvement Portfolio in EDC’s US division has an opening for a Senior Research Scientist  This position can be based out of one of our offices located in Waltham, MA, Washington, D.C., New York City, NY, or Chicago, IL and is open to US-based telecommuter candidates.

Job Description

The School Improvement portfolio is one of five portfolios of work in the US division, and is focused on understanding, improving and transforming education systems and educational practice through the use of evidence and continuous learning. We do so by conducting research and evaluation and providing technical assistance in K-12 education, higher education, and adult education in both formal and informal settings in partnership with federal and state agencies, schools and school districts, community-based organizations, foundations and other research and non-profit organizations. Over the next year, the Senior Research Scientist will lead a large evaluation of a curriculum reform initiative working in collaboration with a state education agency that includes overall project oversight and leading a project team of about twelve and a subcontractor.

Essential Functions

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

The Senior Research Scientist:

• Exercises leadership and advanced expertise in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, including using a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion that integrates racial equity and intersectional frameworks and analysis in research study designs, written reports, and briefs
• Designs, initiates, and leads large evaluation and research projects on topics in K-12 education; oversees evaluation design, data collection, and validation processes and ensures quality and reliability; may act as Principal Investigator
• Facilitates multi-stakeholder meetings of varying complexity and develops positive relationships with state and district school leaders, professional and civic communities, and government agencies
• Leads business development efforts, conceptualizing and/or writing proposals and participating in proposal & funding planning
• Contributes substantially to EDC intellectual capital by representing EDC to project partners, clients, funders and the public, including contributing to EDC external publications and attending and presenting at professional conferences; builds strategic partnerships with other research organizations and university researchers
• Oversees administrative and logistical coordination of projects, including staffing and budgets
• Troubleshoots complex problems and develops solutions in consultation with project team members; may suggest project policies and procedures to ensure quality and compliance
• Coaches and advises project teams; provides expertise and mentoring to junior staff members

Qualifications

Education

• PhD or equivalent highly preferred
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Skills/experience 

• 10-13 years related experience (5 - 8 years with PhD), including 5+ years prior project management or program development experience, plus expert experience with computer applications (including databases), psychometric or statistical measurement techniques, and internet research
• Deep knowledge of, or interest in developing knowledge, of topics related to school and district reform efforts such as curriculum and assessment, educator effectiveness, teacher preparation and professional development, literacy, mathematics and science education, career and technical education
• Ability to perform advanced, complex quantitative data