About the Role
The Collaborative for Student Growth seeks a Research Scientist to join a team of researchers working to further NWEA’s mission of Partnering to Help All Kids Learn. Successful candidates will use quantitative methods to advance an equity-focused research agenda in one or more of three overlapping education policy areas: 1) causes and consequences of persistent U.S.structural inequities, 2) policies to create equitable learning opportunities for racial and ethnic minority students and/or those experiencing poverty, and 3) equitable practices in instruction, intervention, and identification for students with disabilities.
This position is available for remote work. Exceptional candidates with a demonstrated track record of success may be considered for a Senior Research Scientist level position on a case-by-case basis.
Education and Experience
- A Ph.D. in Education Policy, Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field with prior research focused on structural inequities in education. Graduate students expected to complete their degree by July 2022 are welcomed to apply.
- Strong quantitative training, preferably including econometric approaches and multilevel modeling.
- Demonstrated proficiency with statistical software (R, Stata, or similar programs).
- Experience publishing in academic journals and writing non-technical publications for general audiences.
- Desire to work in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment with researchers from a variety of social science backgrounds and professional experiences.
- Experience using and combining large educational datasets, such as NWEA’s Growth Research Database (GRD), SEDA, ACS, CRDC, NAEP, survey panels, and district and/or state longitudinal data systems.
- Ambition to work with policymakers and educators to inform the design and implementation of future educational policies and programs.
- Ability to support a research agenda with extramural funding where appropriate for the project and consistent with experience.
About the Collaborative for Student Growth
The Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA is devoted to transforming education research through advancements in assessment, growth measurement, and the availability of longitudinal data. Through an extensive set of collaborations with universities, think tanks, and grant-funding agencies, researchers in the Collaborative have published on a wide range of educational topics, including seasonal learning trajectories, COVID-19 learning trends, interventions and strategies for COVID-19 recovery, test-taking engagement, academic progress for students with disabilities, student discipline disparities, early childhood education, and student motivation. Our researchers also regularly write for general audiences, present to federal, state and local policymakers and educators, and inform conversations in national and local media.
Beyond our research, our goal is to build and nurture a diverse 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 individual strengths and differences.
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.
About NWEA
What We Can Offer You
At NWEA we not only offer a competitive base salary, we offer a 15% contribution of eligible employees’ base salary to a defined contribution 403(b) retirement savings plan; career development opportunities; an awesome work culture and environment; industry leading benefits and perks that are focused on supporting our employees’ holistic wellbeing. To learn more about what we can offer more, click here.
NWEA strives to make diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) practices the center of our work. Our organization’s mission, Partnering to Help All Kids Learn, is the foundation for our DEIA commitment as we work to reflect, value, and support the educators, students, colleagues, and communities we serve. We seek to empower and engage all stakeholders in the research, services, solutions and products we provide, our organizational culture, and the partnerships we establish with schools, districts, states, and countries.
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NWEA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please visit our website. If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please visit the EEOC website