Research Scientist II

As a community of over 1,000 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood.

Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact - asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

West Ed supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. West Ed complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION-Although West Ed provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

West Ed is seeking a Research Scientist II to lead mid- to large-sized or moderately complex research and evaluation projects, or components of larger projects, that generate credible, actionable evidence for the clients, partners, and communities we serve. You will oversee complex, multi-method studies, manage multiple concurrent work streams, and represent West Ed through presentations and publications at regional and national levels.

You will also lead small to mid-sized proposals, build a pipeline of work, and mentor colleagues.

West Ed's research and evaluation staff design, conduct, and share studies that give clients, partners, and communities evidence they can trust and use. As a Research Scientist II, you will help shape that work across the full study lifecycle, from design and data collection through analysis and dissemination, holding to high standards of methodological rigor, ethical integrity, and transparency.

You will lead mid- to large-sized or moderately complex projects, or major components of larger ones, and balance client needs, staff capacity, and project goals across multiple concurrent work streams. You will contribute to project conceptualization and design, build trusted relationships with clients, partners, and funders, and extend West Ed's visibility through presentations and publications. You will also lead small to mid-sized proposals, build a pipeline of future work, and help your colleagues grow.

This position is also designed to expand our early childhood early mathematics work. You will help build that portfolio through partnerships, funding, and proposals. Initially, you will contribute to a 1.5-year grant project focused starting in January 2027 and concluding in June 2028. The continuation of this position beyond this grant is highly desired and contingent on funding renewal and performance.

• Oversee complex, multi-method studies and set quality assurance expectations across work streams.
• Guide methodological decisions, integrate approaches to meet project needs, and contribute to project conceptualization, design, and implementation.
• Apply advances in data collection and analysis methods to proposals and project implementation, looking for cost efficiency and methodological precision that increase project impact.
• Understand risk based on study design and proactively comply with West Ed policies and legal guidelines from the Legal Office, Office of Research Integrity, and Data Protection Office, guiding teams through any issues that arise.
• Plan for possible anomalies in study implementation, data handling, and Institutional Review Board concerns, and communicate and document decisions to support team understanding.

• Synthesize findings across studies or work streams, drawing on deeper subject matter expertise and connecting to other bodies of…