The Research Scientist will support a large-scale evaluation of the Massachusetts Literacy Launch Initiative, a statewide effort to improve literacy instruction from pre-K to grade 3. The incumbent will join a large team supporting this evaluation to help explore the implementation and impact of several state early literacy policies on teacher and student outcomes. The incumbent will help develop and lead key research analysis projects as part of the evaluation.
The incumbent will be part of the Annenberg Institute’s Research Partnership for Professional Learning (RPPL) research team, led by Annenberg faculty John Papay and Nathaniel Schwartz. RPPL is a partnership that brings together professional learning (PL) organizations, district and state education systems, and researchers from the Annenberg Institute to strengthen how the field learns about and improves teacher professional learning . RPPL’s central goal is to rethink how we learn about teacher PL, shifting from studies that explore whether a specific program works to a broader learning agenda designed to identify how PL design features and the enabling conditions of PL improve teachers’ instructional practice and, as a result, students’ classroom experiences, well-being, and academic growth. RPPL focuses on supporting the learning of teachers who work with students from historically marginalized groups.
Reporting directly to the Principal Investigators, the Research Scientist drives all aspects of project planning for multiple research projects for this research team in a dynamic, layered team setting. The position takes a lead role in designing studies, leads data collection and analysis efforts, develops project models, engages practitioners and PL organizations as partners in research work, and writes academic papers, reports, presentations, and grant reports.
The incumbent will need to have a strong understanding of early literacy policy and practice and extensive expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. We are particularly interested in applicants with demonstrated experience using research to inform policy and practice.
We welcome earlier career scholars to apply instead to a related Senior Research Associate role, for which we are also hiring.
The Annenberg Institute is Brown University’s education research institute. Our vibrant community includes Brown University faculty, postdoctoral research associates, staff, students, and multiple partners in Rhode Island and across the US. We partner with education leaders and scholars to connect people, evidence, and practices to build toward a more effective and equitable education system that enables all students to thrive academically and in other ways. Our knowledge initiatives catalyze conversations across the research landscape, synthesizing what we know and mobilizing practitioners, policymakers, and researchers toward collaborative impact.
This position is 100% grant funded and is for one year with the possibility of renewal, based on satisfactory work performance and dependent upon funding.
An earned doctorate in Education, Public Policy, Economics, Sociology, Political Science or other affiliated fields is required by the position start date.
Ability to work independently or as a member of a team
Experience working on large-scale research studies
Strong background in education research.
Candidates will be assessed based on research output and post-degree experience.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, two writing samples and contact information for three references.
Candidates should address in their cover letter how they would contribute to the research and/or teacher missions of our diverse and inclusive university community.
Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.
