Research Scientist

Research Scientist

The Research Scientist will be part of a growing team at the USC EdPolicy Hub at the USC Rossier School of Education. The “Hub” collaborates with Southern California schools, education systems, and community colleges to co-design and conduct relevant research. Results will help partners navigate challenges and improve outcomes and equity for students across the region through research and evidence.

In pursuit of this end, the Hub both conducts cutting-edge research on critical topics for the field and develops research networks that can answer questions for and better support education leaders throughout the region. The Research Scientist will be a critical part of our team, leading quantitative analysis for the Hub to help education leaders in the region learn what’s working and what’s not.

We are seeking an experienced Research Scientist to lead the quantitative analysis portion of Hub projects. This hire will also support the development of new research projects with our school and district partners to improve education outcomes for all students in Southern California. 

Principal duties and responsibilities:
The Research Scientist will typically work across several projects with faculty and other senior researchers at USC and (sometimes) other institutions.  Specific responsibilities include:

• Provides expert guidance and support on advanced methodological issues that arise across Hub projects;

• Manages other, more junior, research data analysts in the assembly and analysis of large data sets;

• Systematizes procedures and workflows to ensure the quality and accuracy of less experienced research data analysts’ work;

• Provides scientific guidance and mentorship to support the development and professional growth of HUB research data analysts;

• Develops, maintains, and oversees processes and infrastructure for receiving, storing, and handling sensitive data;

• Analyzes primary and secondary administrative data; develops compelling visualizations and summaries of findings to share with the Principal Investigator and other staff on the project

• Designing standards and protocols for HUB quantitative researchers that are consistent with core principles of scientific rigor, transparency, and reproducibility

• Develops and makes presentations to education leaders and policymakers

• Presents results from Hub projects at academic and practitioner conferences

• Authors complete or substantial portions of Hub reports and papers

• Works with Hub Executive Director to identify and pursue new grant opportunities and research projects that further the mission of the Hub

Basic Qualifications:

Ph.D. in a relevant quantitative social science field required (e.g., public policy, political science, economics, education policy, sociology, or a related field). Five years of related work experience required – including prior experience working with education agencies.  Demonstrated leadership in developing new ideas and ability to publish in appropriate academic and practitioner outlets.  Demonstrated independent thinking and leadership in scholarly writing. Expertise with and dedicated training in experimental and quasi-experimental methods commonly used in the social sciences and education research.

Additional Qualifications:

• Expert programming skills in Stata or R.

• Previous experience working with student-level administrative data from education agencies.

• Previous experience managing quantitative analysts.

Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and transcript (official or unofficial) as a single PDF document. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position must indicate that they meet all of the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume. Candidates who are selected to participate in the next phase of the hiring process will be asked to submit a report that demonstrates their ability to perform the duties required for this position. The report should be accompanied by relevant programming code, modules, and documentation.

This position's annual base salary range is $110,000-$120,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Applications should be submitted via usccarreers.usc.edu and should include the following:

• Resume

• A cover letter (Our system will allow you to add additional documentation by clicking the “upload” button in the same section where you attach your resume.)

This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with a strong possibility of continuation.

Minimum Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Minimum Experience: 5 years Minimum Skills: Directly related education and experience in research specialization with highly advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures, analysis methods, principles, theories and concepts. Demonstrated leadership in developing new ideas and ability to publish in appropriate academic and practitioner outlets. Demonstrated independent thinking and leadership in scholarly writing according established criteria (e.g., first-authored publications, conceptual leadership in the development of publications generated alone or with others, writing of first drafts of publications and/or single-authored publications).