Research Scientist

Position: Research Scientist I
If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also 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.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade:
Technical 406

Pay Range: $95,900.00 - $

Job Description

The Research Scientist is responsible for the design and execution of research projects, with emphasis on owning the research plan, selecting appropriate methods, and overseeing research execution. They establish and maintain strong relationships with peers and leaders across IAR, Data Engineering, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Product Management, Finance, EdTech, and Faculty staff. They deploy a range of mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods and tools to produce research supporting fact-based decision-making, disseminating findings across the university and the broader scientific community.

At WGU Labs, we're reimagining what learning can be - anywhere, for anyone. Our research explores how technology, including AI-powered learning solutions, can expand access, improve outcomes, and create new pathways to success across the postsecondary education ecosystem. From traditional higher education to emerging models of workforce learning and skills development, we investigate what works and why.

We're seeking a Research Scientist with specialization in learning science, who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is passionate about using evidence to drive innovation in learning. In this role, you'll design, develop, and test solutions that - at scale - have the potential to shape equitable, high-impact learning experiences for diverse learners and contexts.

Ideal candidates bring deep curiosity, learning science expertise, methodological rigor, and a belief that research can unlock opportunities for all learners. You'll join a team that values experimentation, cross-sector collaboration, and the conviction that great research fuels transformative change in education.

Job Duties

* Drives the documentation of data and research needs in projects of medium/high complexity with a student and equity-centered lens, collaborating with peers, cross-functional partners, faculty staff, and leaders.

* Takes ownership of mid-level research projects as defined by leadership, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

* Translates user stories into technical requirements and develops effective research plans.

* Begins to mentor peers on basic research methods and processes, fostering a collaborative team environment.

* Demonstrates the ability to present research findings to internal stakeholders and external audiences.

* Sets and manages expectations about research tasks and activities through clear, timely, and effective communication with partners and stakeholders.

* Identifies adequate data sources and data sets to evaluate hypotheses, build forecasts, and support findings of research projects.

* Collaborates with Data Engineering in the development of the ETL/ELT processes and data pipelines.

* Identifies, investigates, and solves complex data issues, contributing to the accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, and validity of the university's data.

* Combines data analysis, visualization, and narrative structures to convey information in compelling ways that instigate deliberate action.

* Conveys information effectively to peers, partners, senior leaders, and as projects require, external audiences, using a variety of resources and formats (synchronous and asynchronous, verbal and written) such as e-mails, presentations, meetings, and workshops. Is open and responsive to feedback to improve work.

* Defines and owns, in collaboration with communications team, as relevant, communication plans for assigned projects.

* Creates and organizes information about processes, projects, operations, data assets, and insights from analyses and research, making it accessible in ways that increase the university's…