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About the Role
The Research Scientist at WGU Labs will 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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
Requirements
- 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.
- Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements.
- Experience with survey and qualitative research software such as Qualtrics, Recollective, or Quirkos.
- Proficiency using Google Scholar and peer-reviewed journals to identify reliable research.
- Advanced Excel knowledge.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile, and SDLC.
- Ability to apply sound judgment, systems thinking, and analytical skills to complex problems.
- Comfortable integrating AI tools, such as Claude and Microsoft Copilot, into research, data analysis, coding, and project workflows while critically verifying AI-generated output for accuracy, validity, and alignment.
Skills
- Data Analysis
- Business Intelligence
- Data Science
- Statistics
- Decision Intelligence
- Research
- Learning Science
- Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology
- SQL
- R
- Python
- Educational measurement
- Evaluation concepts
- Reliability
- Validity evidence
- Inter-rater agreement
- A/B testing
- Quasi-experimental approaches
- Mixed methods
- Survey software
- Qualitative research software
- Google Scholar
- Peer-reviewed journals
- Advanced Excel
- Project management methodologies
- Waterfall
- Agile
- SDLC
- Systems thinking
- Analytical skills
- AI tools
- Claude
- Microsoft Copilot
Location
- Raleigh, NC
Work Type
- Full-time
- In-office
Experience Level
- 3 years of related experience
- Minimal supervision
Education Level
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline
- Master’s or doctoral degree in learning sciences, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, educational measurement, human-computer interaction, or a related field (Bonus Points)
Salary/Compensations
- $98,300.00 - $147,400.00
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Telehealth
- Mental healthcare
- Health savings account
- Flexible spending account
- Basic and voluntary life insurance
- Disability coverage
- Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
- Legal and identity theft coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Wellbeing program
- Discounted WGU tuition
- Flexible paid time off
- Flexible paid sick time
- 11 paid holidays
- Other paid leaves
- Up to 12 weeks of parental leave
About the Company
- WGU is driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs.
- WGU is committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals.
- The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders.
- Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
Equal Opportunity
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.