Applied Research Scientist

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference.
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring an Applied Research Scientist, reporting to our VP, Expertise & Strategic Design. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in scholarly research, combined with at least 4 years of experience in applied industry settings such as start-ups or tech companies. If you are adept and enjoy the challenge of balancing rigor with business needs, can creatively adjust to the quick cycles of product development, and enjoy leveraging your skills in a wide variety of ways while working on behalf of a larger mission, this role may be a great fit for you.

What you’ll do

• Generate research-based insights that help the team make evidence-based decisions about program and product development
• Evaluate the impact of our interventions and offerings - both on and off the platform - generating clear findings on effectiveness
• Work across the program and product development lifecycle, in partnership with our data analytics team and intervention designers, to ensure any new offering is designed for ease of measurement
• Execute end-to-end design of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation of both on-platform and off-platform offerings
• Conduct analysis of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation
• Deliver clear, concise presentations on your findings for both internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to written reports for funders, visual decks for interdisciplinary internal stakeholders, white papers, and prioritized top-line findings that inform iteration
• Help develop and execute a rigorous yet highly usable approach to the evaluation of external products and programs from other organizations, including apps, school-based interventions, and non-profit programs
• Build guardrails and approaches to ensuring responsible, beneficial use of new technologies such as LLM
• As needed, collaborate on, or independently execute pilot studies on Understood initiatives from design to implementation to final submissions for publication
• Serve as subject-matter expert on effective approaches to behavior change for children, parents, and adults

Must-haves 

• Advanced degree (PhD) in psychology, education, public health or other related field in applied social sciences
• Depth of experience conducting and leading rigorous, primary research (academic settings)
• A least 4 years of experience in applied industry settings such as start-ups or tech companies (non-academic)
• Technical skills and capacity including SQL, R, and Python (or willingness to learn)
• Strong agility in adjusting methods and approaches based on time and resource constraints
• Subject matter expertise in learning and thinking differences, such as Dyslexia and ADHD
• A deep understanding of user experience, and the development of measurement strategies that don’t diminish the experience of those we serve
• Depth of experience working in partnership, effectively and with humility, with interdisciplinary colleagues from data & analytics to marketing to product development
• Expertise in managing time, commitments, and priorities
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 

Nice-to-haves

• Strong history of peer-reviewed publishing
• Strong history of non-peer-reviewed, rapid-cycle, credible summaries of findings
• At least 3 years of experience working as a practitioner, such as a teacher, counselor, or coach - with children who learn and think differently

The base salary range for this role is minimum $135,000 - $150,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about