Principal Research Scientist – Education Research

About the position The Education and Child Development Department seeks a Principal Research Scientist to join our collaborative and creative team to conduct and expand our work in education. The ideal candidate will have a doctorate and will bring expertise in leading large scale U.S. Department of Education evaluation or technical assistance contracts or grants, specifically with either the Institute of Education Science’s National Center for Education Evaluation or the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The ideal candidate will also have deep knowledge of the Every Student Succeeds Act and bring expertise in at least one content area (e.g. school choice, AI, college and career readiness and access, literacy, STEM education, educator workforce). In this strategic role, the Principal Research Scientist will help one of the nation's most respected research institutions grow its portfolio of work, significantly impacting NORC's service to our clients and our organizational success. Preferably, this position will have a hybrid work schedule of one or two days a week in either our Washington, DC or Chicago, IL office. Remote applicants may also be considered. DEPARTMENT: Education and Child Development For more than 40 years, NORC has been committed to conducting high-quality education research and capacity building. Our Education and Child Development department focuses its research and technical assistance across the full array of education-relevant populations, from preschoolers to the post-graduate doctorate holders.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development efforts including with federal and state governments, large school districts, foundations, universities, commercial partners.
• Lead major research and/or technical assistance projects.
• Advance creative analytic solutions and problem solving.
• Foster an environment that promotes professional growth of ECD staff.
• Support a cohesive, team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed staff and promote communication and integration among all members.
• Develop and maintain client relationships.
• Develop and maintain key partnerships with other research organizations and research leaders that will support and advance the success of ECD.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in education, child development, social sciences, or another relevant discipline is required, Doctorate preferred.
• At least 12 years of directly applicable work experience in a significant management role; such as management of line business or research group in a nonprofit organization, research organization or government agency is required.
• A track record for building, developing, managing and retaining a team of highly capable research professionals.
• Recognition as an expert in education as evidenced by supporting publications and presentations.
• Deep understanding of qualitative and quantitative methodologies OR technical assistance methods (e.g., implementation science, improvement science, continuous improvement).
• Expertise in managing large scale, complex research or technical assistance projects, or other similar accomplishments.
• Experience in reporting on research to a wide range of stakeholders using a variety of platforms.
• Deep and strong connections to major education clients.
• Successful record of securing high-caliber, compelling education/child development projects.
• Strong connections to one of the following U.S. regions, jurisdictions, or states: Central (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming) or Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin).
• Direct experience leading major components of work for a Regional Educational Laboratory OR Comprehensive Center.

Benefits

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
• Dental and vision insurance
• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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