Research Scientist; Mixed Methods Specialization

Department

Programs

Director of Research and Evaluation

Full-time, Exempt

Remote, United States

Approximately 15-20 days per year

$85,000 - $90,000 annually

SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery.

Guided by our mission, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a global network of over 4,300 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found .org.

SSPI seeks an early-career research scientist who is excited to apply rigorous mixed-methods and qualitative research to real-world STEM education programs with national reach and relevance. This role is ideal for an early career researcher who wants to deepen their expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods evaluation while collaborating with senior researchers, educators, and partners. The Research Scientist will play a leading role in qualitative inquiry—designing interviews, conducting fieldwork, and analyzing implementation and impact—while contributing to quantitative and experimental studies.

SSPI values emerging scholars who are motivated by equity-centered science education, interested in translating research for funders and practitioners, and eager to grow as applied researchers whose work informs both continuous program improvement and the broader scholarship.

Under the direction of the Director of Research and Evaluation, the Research Scientist will be responsible for evaluating new and existing STEM education programs. Working with the Director of Research and Evaluation, research partners, and funders as appropriate, the Research Scientist will implement and manage high quality mixed methods and implementation design research within rigorous evaluation studies in education.

The ideal candidate is a mixed methods researcher with 0-3 years of postgraduate experience, who is skilled in conducting mixed methods program evaluation and research in educational contexts. Their research should address barriers to equitable and inclusive learning environments.

• Assist in the design and management of comprehensive, high-quality mixed-methods STEM education evaluations and implementation research that align with SSPI’s mission, strategic goals, and commitment to equitable science learning.
• Co-lead, partner, and/or support the various phases of program evaluation and research, including study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and scaling across diverse educational contexts.
• Provide methodological leadership for the qualitative and mixed-methods components of ongoing and new research projects, including case studies, thematic analysis, and content analysis that deepen understanding of program implementation and impact.
• Support the establishment and management of project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring efficient use of resources and long-term sustainability while maximizing learning and impact.
• Co-author evaluation reports and scholarly and practitioner-facing publications on selected projects, translating rigorous research findings into accessible, actionable insights for funders, educators, and policymakers.
• Collaborate with educators, researchers, and industry experts to design and implement evaluations, including developing interview and focus group protocols and conducting interviews, focus groups, and observations with varied stakeholders.
• Contribute to identifying and analyzing emerging trends in STEM education evaluation, assessment, workforce needs, and community interests to…