Research Scientist

Position Summary

The Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL), within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, seeks a Research Scientist to support a growing portfolio of projects focused on educational leadership, inclusive practices, implementation support, systems improvement, and positive outcomes for children and youth across Indiana. This position will play a key role in supporting Indiana’s State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), including the CELL School Leadership Initiative (CSLI), while also contributing to a broader portfolio of grants, master service agreements, partnerships, and emerging initiatives.

The Research Scientist will work collaboratively with CELL staff, educators, school and district leaders, state agencies, families, and community partners to design, implement, and disseminate research and evaluation activities; contribute to grant development and management; and support the translation of research into practice.

Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent terminal degree) in education, educational leadership, special education, public administration, organizational leadership, social sciences, implementation science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in education, program coordination, leadership development, implementation support, systems improvement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, implementing or supporting research, evaluation, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evidence of scholarly writing, technical reports, presentations, publications, or other professional dissemination activities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate on externally funded projects, grants, contracts, or research initiatives.

Questions about the position should be addressed to Director, Pennie Gregory (
pmgregor).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience publishing research, evaluation findings, technical assistance products, or practitioner-focused resources.
• Record of presenting at state, national, or professional conferences.
• Experience serving as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, project director, or key personnel on grant-funded initiatives.
• Experience developing grant proposals, securing external funding, or contributing to funded projects.
• Demonstrated leadership within professional organizations, state initiatives, research centers, or educational improvement efforts.
• Experience in K–12 education, educational leadership, special education, school improvement, instructional coaching, or related educational settings.

For Best Consideration Date
09/30/2026

Expected Start Date
11/01/2026

Posting NumberIU-