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Lead Scientist - Simon Initiative

Employer
Carnegie Mellon University
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Jan 7, 2025

Job Details

Carnegie Mellon is embarking on a new strategic initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to innovate mathematics education. This project draws on the expertise of Carnegie Mellon University's leading minds in math education, learning sciences, and AI, to reimagine a math curriculum designed to dramatically improve student outcomes and ensure that race, ethnicity, and income are not predictors of postsecondary success. Our approach aims to leverage existing momentum, embrace iterative and collaborative processes, and balance innovative explorations with market-ready solutions in math education.

The Lead Scientist will play a critical role in designing, researching and refining digital learning tools for the emerging Academic Courseware Organization (ACOR). Contributing to the ACOR leadership team, the Lead Scientist will help to grow and direct the organization, scaling its impact in mathematics education. The ideal candidate combines strong academic research expertise with a history of hands-on industry and product design experience.

The Lead Scientist will bring demonstrated expertise in learning experience design, rapid cycle research for product improvement and product development (preferably in content driven ed tech), and equity-centered user research, user testing. This individual will collaborate with Program Officers and ACOR leadership developing and scaling high quality digital learning tools (i.e., affordable digital courseware and digital learning infrastructure) to improve academic success and momentum for students, while helping colleges and universities spread and scale effective digital instruction at the undergraduate level.

Core Responsibilities

The work of the Lead Scientist is carried out in partnership with field partners and colleagues of the ACOR team and in collaboration with funding partners. To further the strategy’s impact, this individual will:
  • In collaboration with BMGF Program Officers, the Lead Scientist will
    • Cultivate and support the learning agenda of ACOR to advance greater digital learning solution efficacy, scalability, and innovation to accelerate the quality of ACORs courseware offerings, scaled adoption, and return on investment.
    • Designing and implementing R&D cycles with appropriate methodologies (including A/B testing, equity-centered user design and testing) to ensure that ACOR courseware offerings improve student outcomes.
    • Planning and leading data analysis procedures that address research questions aligned with the learning agenda
    • Planning, implement, and/or lead analyses of the market, user and institutional needs, and opportunities in the digital learning and learning technologies market aligned to ACOR’s mission.
    • Prospect, develop, negotiate, launch, and lead new research endeavors to grow and evolve the learning agenda of ACOR
  • In collaboration with ACOR leadership, the Lead Scientist will
    • Synthesize new and existing research literature into summaries, presentations, and tools to enable ACOR leadership to understand and/or apply research findings into the product vision.
    • Provide guidance on learning science and learning engineering principles that can affect product visioning
  • In collaboration with ACOR functional teams (content, engineering, marketing, finance), the Lead Scientist will
    • Provide guidance on learning science and learning engineering principles that can affect product team choices
    • Prospect, develop, negotiate, launch, and lead new research endeavors pursuant to the specific needs of functional teams (e.g., spinning up testing efforts to explore different content options, different UX modes, etc.).
    • Synthesize findings from ACOR-lead research endeavors to support functional teams in making evidence-based decisions.
  • In collaboration with external research resources (external partners or research firms, participants), the Lead Scientist will
    • Cultivate and optimize lasting and high impact relationships with colleagues, external partners, and other ACOR-adjacent BMGF grantees.
    • Manage the work of internal research staff (including the research coordinator) and the budget of research projects.
  • With support of BMGF Program officers, the Lead Scientist will engage productively with other CMU research leaders to integrate research findings into ACOR courseware design and motivate CMU research leaders to conduct research leveraging ACOR resources.
Flexibility, problem solving, exceptional customer focus, integrity, and willingness to learn are important qualities within the Simon Initiative. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. We are seeking someone with a positive approach who shares our values and who is committed to supporting the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Learning Science, Cognitive Science, Educational Psychology, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in educational research, instructional design, or a related role, with a focus on applying research to practice.
  • Proven track record of designing and implementing successful learning solutions or programs.
  • Strong analytical skills, including experience with data analysis tools and methodologies.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
  • Familiarity with learning technologies, AI in education, and adaptive learning systems is a plus.
Key Competencies
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational practices.
  • Expertise in learning theories and their practical applications.
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Proficiency in managing and mentoring a team of researchers or designers.
  • Ability to effectively synthesize research findings for diverse audiences.
Requirements:
  • Successful Background Check
Additional Information:
  • Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Remote

Job Function

Engineering, Research and Project Scientists

Position Type

Staff – Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:
  • Please visit Why Carnegie Mellon to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

  • Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

  • Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .

  • Statement of Assurance

Company

Carnegie Mellon University

 

Carnegie Mellon University challenges the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters.

A private, global research university, Carnegie Mellon stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and sets its own course.

Carnegie Mellon was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie under the premise that a school established to foster and develop the technical skills of its students would soon produce students and graduates whose work would astound Pittsburgh and the world. Over 120 years later, our institution continues to produce talented alumni and draws faculty and staff eager to be a part of the university's creative, passionate and close-knit community. We place emphasis on practical problem solving, interdisciplinary learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration.

Over the past 10 years, more than 400 startups linked to CMU have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding. Those investment numbers are especially high because of the sheer size of Pittsburgh’s growing autonomous vehicles cluster – including Uber, Aurora, Waymo and Motional – all of which are here because of their strong ties to CMU.

With cutting-edge brain science, path-breaking performances, innovative startups, driverless cars, big data, big ambitions, Nobel and Turing prizes, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we create it. 

Pittsburgh is home to over 86,000 students from 10 colleges and universities. Pittsburgh was ranked as one of the top U.S. cities for millennials.

Some 177,000 people work in Pittsburgh's tech-related industries, and their ranks continue to grow as the city tops lists for jobs. Networking opportunities, small business accelerators, and an innovative community make the city appealing to entrepreneurs, especially recent graduates.

Pittsburgh is emerging as a tech and culture hub that The Washington Post praises for its "world-class art museums and colorful neighborhoods."

Robotics and software engineering lead the way. The city is home to GoogleUber and Apple offices and a budding ecosystem of tech startups including DuolingoModcloth and 4Moms, all of which have CMU roots.

Many seek Pittsburgh for being a hot spot for entrepreneurship and a model for future cities. Others come for the city's burgeoning food scene.

You’ll find CMU locations nationwide — and worldwide. Silicon Valley. Qatar. Africa. Washington, D.C. To name a few.

If your heart is in your work, come work with us.

Carnegie Mellon University isn't just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions — it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues — and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters.

Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well. Benefit eligibility varies based on the hours per week employees are scheduled to work and the employee's geographic location

We seek to cultivate diverse populations and perspectives and promote equity and inclusion. Our devotion to these ideals springs from a core belief in the power of education to be a transformative and enriching force for every person, irrespective of their background, identity or life circumstances. 

Inclusion and belonging are intricately interwoven into the very essence of our university, helping to shape our values, policies and practices. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are not only central to our ethos but also indispensable to our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation.

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