Description
At WGU Labs, the Research Scientist will help shape the future of learning by designing and executing research on educational innovations, including AI-enabled learning and assessment tools.
This role is ideal for a researcher who brings a strong foundation in learning science or educational research, enjoys turning complex questions into rigorous research plans, and can independently move research from design through execution and communication.
You will work across research, learning design, product, engineering, and external partners to evaluate educational products and programs.
You will use qualitative and quantitative methods to understand effectiveness, validity, and the learner experience, translating findings into insights that inform meaningful action.
What You'll Do
- Own research plans and execute rigorous mixed-methods studies, selecting appropriate approaches to ensure findings are valid, reliable, and meaningful.
- Design and conduct evaluation and validation studies of educational products and AI-enabled tools, including learner interviews, surveys, usability testing, A/B testing, and quasi-experimental studies.
- Use SQL and R or Python to prepare and analyze data, apply statistical methods and classification algorithms, test hypotheses, identify relationships, and support research findings.
- Partner with research, learning design, product, engineering, faculty, and other stakeholders to translate research questions and user stories into technical requirements and actionable research plans.
- Synthesize academic literature and other primary and secondary research, identifying important findings, evidence gaps, and opportunities to inform educational innovation.
- Turn data and research findings into clear, compelling narratives, visualizations, presentations, reports, and publications for internal and external audiences, including contributions to grant-funded deliverables.
- Drive research projects with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to a collaborative research environment, sharing knowledge, mentoring peers on foundational research methods, and continuously building your own skills.
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.
- 3 years of related experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Research, Learning Science, or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
- Proficiency in SQL for querying and preparing research data.
- Experience using R or Python for statistical analysis and evaluating AI-enabled tools, requiring minimal supervision.
- Foundational knowledge of educational measurement and evaluation concepts, including reliability, validity evidence, and inter-rater agreement.
- Experience selecting and deploying research methods and techniques, including A/B testing, quasi-experimental approaches, mixed methods, and others.
- Knowledge of learning science research and its application to educational products and programs, with the ability to independently define an approach and execute against a research question.
Bonus Points
- Master's or doctoral degree in learning sciences, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, educational measurement, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
- Experience conducting research on educational technology, including AI-enabled tools.
- Experience with assessment design, validation, psychometrics, or educational measurement methods.
What to Expect
- Introductory call
- Hiring manager interview
- Team interview
- Leadership interview