Senior Research Scientist

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The School Improvement Portfolio in the U.S. Division has an opening for a Senior Research Scientist, reporting to the Principal Research Scientist. This position can be based out of one of our offices located in Washington D.C., Waltham, MA, New York City, NY, or Chicago, IL and is open to US-based telecommuters.

The School Improvement Portfolio is one of six 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.

The primary project for this Senior Research Scientist is the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands. The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands translates research to practice in partnership with policymakers and practitioners in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Vermont. The ten Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) around the United States work in partnership to conduct applied research and trainings with a mission of supporting a more evidence-based education system.

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:

• Contributes substantially to the organization’s intellectual capital; has an established reputation as a leader in the field
• Guides the shaping of Applied Research projects on a large federal contract, specifically to maximize their ability to contribute to the attainment of partnership outcomes while also contributing to the broader research literature on the topic; is responsible for initiation and execution of projects of large scope & diversity, or may direct multiple complex projects
• Exercises leadership and advanced expertise in qualitative &/or quantitative research methods
• Oversees data collection & validation processes, ensuring quality & reliability; monitors project timelines, ensuring that teams will meet deliverable due dates on time
• Reviews documentation, synthesizes concepts and recommendations, writes/edits plans & complex materials; develops high-visibility presentations
• Contributes widely to conferences and peer-reviewed publications; develops original bodies of work
• Acts as Principal Investigator
• Investigates solutions to potential problems, resulting in products, programs, services or inventions
• Leads development efforts; participates in proposal & funding planning; conceptualizes or writes proposals or major sections of proposals
• Provides conceptual leadership to project teams including parameters for what can and cannot be done as applied research work as well as feedback on scope and content of projects to ensure alignment with attainment of short, medium and long term student outcomes
• Obtains and maintains certification under the What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards 
• Develops positive relationships with professional or civic communities, government agencies, “stakeholders” or institutions, increasing network; builds strategic partnerships with other research organizations and university researchers
• Works with senior management and project staff on new concepts, products &/or programs
• Guides feedback exchanges; provides expertise to others
• Develops/oversees portfolio policies & procedures to ensure quality & compliance
• Oversees administrative and logistical coordination
• May travel nationally or internationally

Qualifications

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

Education:

• PhD or equivalent, preferred, with 5 – 8 years related experience, 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
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience, with 10 – 13 years related experience (as above)

Skills:

• Ability to perform advanced, complex quantitative data analysis of large datasets and trends, utilizing multivariate statistical methods and/or experience in survey design and research and/or qualitative research and design and analysis
• Demonstrated excellent project management skills including the ability to manage large projects or multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize competing demands
• Extensive publication record
• Experience with business development
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Certification as a reviewer under the What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards, required

Security Clearance Requirement: The funder of this project, US Department of Education, requires that any staff who may work with Student level data or have an in-school presence pass a security clearance from the US Government. Due to this requirement, US citizens only are eligible for consideration for this position.

Additional Information

EDC affirms its steadfast commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct, ensuring the protection of all individuals from misconduct, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of these rights. Safeguarding refers to the measures and practices put in place to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and at-risk adults, from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups find themselves meeting many of the criteria of a job posting, yet doubting if they should apply. At EDC, we value and strive for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Equity and excellence are inseparable. If you meet some of the preferred requirements but not all of them, and feel aligned with our vision and mission, we encourage you to apply. 

Total Rewards 

EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees: 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 
• 12 paid holidays 
• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees 
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Pre-tax transport benefit 
• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund) 
• Paid sick time and up to 16 hours of personal time annually 
• Parental leave 
• Employee assistance program 

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range (full-time equivalent) of approximately $100,000 to $130,000. Salary offers are made based on market analysis and internal equity. 

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the EDC job opportunities website as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by e-mailing Liz Christensen or by calling her at 800-225-4276 or 617-618-2329.