Lead Research Scientist

Job Title: Lead Research Scientist, Research and Policy Partnerships

Location: Remote

Who We Are

NWEA is a division of HMH that supports students and educators through research, assessment solutions, policy and advocacy services, professional learning and school improvement services that fight for equity, drive classroom impact and push for systemic change in our educational communities. For nearly 50 years, NWEA has developed innovative pre-K-12 assessments, including their flagship interim assessment, MAP Growth and their reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP Reading Fluency. For more information, visit NWEA.org to learn more.

About the Team

The NWEA Learning Sciences Division seeks a Lead Research Scientist to join its Research and Policy Partnerships team. The RPP team is dedicated to generating actionable, policy-relevant research that directly addresses critical challenges in K-12 education. Our researchers have varied expertise but share a collective focus on producing research insights that translate into meaningful action for educators, policymakers, and school leaders. Our researchers also play key partner support roles, providing expert consultation on NWEA products and services, data analysis, and customized research solutions.

Beyond our research, our goal is to build and nurture a team of talented researchers and empower them to do their best work. In support of this goal, we seek researchers of diverse backgrounds and identities, academic training, work experience, and ideological outlooks to join our team. We are committed to creating a collegial environment that authentically recognizes, appreciates, and affirms each person's strengths and differences.

Responsibilities

This role requires a careful balance of leading substantial research initiatives while also providing expert support to partners. The successful candidate will both advance a meaningful research agenda and serve as a trusted advisor to education stakeholders on technical and policy matters.

Research responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee a program of research focused on K-12 assessment and educational policy that support RPP's mission and research agenda.
• Analyze large-scale assessment data using rigorous research methodologies to generate actionable insights.
• Build and maintain strategic research partnerships with school districts, state agencies, and academic institutions.
• Present findings to diverse stakeholders (e.g., educators, policymakers, community leaders) and through diverse methods (e.g., research reports, policy briefs, peer-reviewed publications).
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to team capacity building.

Partner support and consultation responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior research advisor to NWEA partners, guiding them in leveraging assessment data to inform policy and programmatic decisions.
• Provide expert technical consultation on assessment design and interpretation to both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Lead complex partner engagements that require deep assessment expertise and sophisticated understanding of rigorous research methodologies.
• Design and deliver compelling presentations tailored to partner needs and expertise levels on a range of topics-from practical guidance, to the application of research findings, to hands-on technical workshops.

Education and Experience

• A Ph.D. in Education, Public Policy, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, or a related field is required.
• 5+ years of work experience in educational research is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of MAP Growth assessments and NWEA products including reporting features, application to various educational contexts, and psychometric properties.
• Established research agenda that uses assessment data to contribute to critical K-12 policy conversations of direct relevance to HMH partners.
• Proven track record of managing complex research partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Mastery of advanced quantitative methods, including expertise working with large-scale datasets (e.g., SEDA, CCD, NAEP, district and/or state longitudinal data systems) and using quasi-experimental methods (e.g., RDD, matching, DiD).
• Advanced proficiency with statistical software and data visualization tools (e.g., R, Stata, Tableau, PowerBi), including ability to produce replicable code.
• Strong publication record in academic journals and experience writing non-technical publications for general audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to present and communicate complex assessment-related concepts and topics to practitioners and/or non-expert consumers.
• Experience managing project teams and mentoring junior colleagues.

Competencies

• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Action-Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Salary range: 130k - 140k.

Application Deadline:

The application window for this position is anticipated to close onApril 2, 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available after this date but is not guaranteed.

HMH is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, citizenship status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran, other covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. We actively participate in E-Verify.

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