Research Scientist II

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,000 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Brief Description

WestEd is seeking a Research Scientist II to lead mid- to large-sized or moderately complex research and evaluation projects, or components of larger projects, that generate credible, actionable evidence for the clients, partners, and communities we serve. You will oversee complex, multi-method studies, manage multiple concurrent work streams, and represent WestEd through presentations and publications at regional and national levels. You will also lead small to mid-sized proposals, build a pipeline of work, and mentor colleagues.

The Opportunity

WestEd's research and evaluation staff design, conduct, and share studies that give clients, partners, and communities evidence they can trust and use. As a Research Scientist II, you will help shape that work across the full study lifecycle, from design and data collection through analysis and dissemination, holding to high standards of methodological rigor, ethical integrity, and transparency.

You will lead mid- to large-sized or moderately complex projects, or major components of larger ones, and balance client needs, staff capacity, and project goals across multiple concurrent workstreams. You will contribute to project conceptualization and design, build trusted relationships with clients, partners, and funders, and extend WestEd's visibility through presentations and publications. You will also lead small to mid-sized proposals, build a pipeline of future work, and help your colleagues grow.

This position is also designed to expand our early childhood early mathematics work. You will help build that portfolio through partnerships, funding, and proposals. Initially, you will contribute to a 1.5-year grant project focused starting in January 2027 and concluding in June 2028. The continuation of this position beyond this grant is highly desired and contingent on funding renewal and performance.

Core Focus Areas and Responsibilities

Research and Methodologival Rigor

• Oversee complex, multi-method studies and set quality assurance expectations across workstreams.
• Guide methodological decisions, integrate approaches to meet project needs, and contribute to project conceptualization, design, and implementation.
• Apply advances in data collection and analysis methods to proposals and project implementation, looking for cost efficiency and methodological precision that increase project impact.
• Understand risk based on study design and proactively comply with WestEd policies and legal guidelines from the Legal Office, Office of Research Integrity, and Data Protection Office, guiding teams through any issues that arise.
• Plan for possible anomalies in study implementation, data handling, and Institutional Review Board concerns, and communicate and document decisions to support team understanding.

Knowledge Translation and Influence

• Synthesize findings across studies or work streams, drawing on deeper subject matter expertise and connecting to other bodies of evidence to identify cross-cutting themes and implications.
• Author papers, briefs, and presentations that advance WestEd's reputation.
• Represent WestEd through presentations, publications, and professional engagement at regional and national levels.
• Coach others in structuring arguments, clarifying findings, and using evidence effectively.
• Review and strengthen the writing of others, ensuring clarity, rigor, and coherence.

Project and Client Management

• Lead mid-size to large or moderately complex projects, or components of larger projects, to ensure client satisfaction.
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams, ensuring integration and quality across staff and subcontractors while balancing client needs, staff capacity, and project goals.
• Manage complex client relationships independently, aligning project strategy with client needs while safeguarding feasibility and rigor.
• Anticipate risks and proactively guide clients through decisions that affect timeline, scope, or methodological approach.
• Use data to demonstrate impact to clients and funders.

Business and Partnership Development

• Lead full proposal development for small to mid-sized projects, or contribute substantially to large, complex proposals, in alignment with standards for high-quality proposals.
• Model effective use of WestEd systems and processes for business and partnership development.
• Scan the landscape for new opportunities and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective clients and partners to understand needs and shape ideas.
• Engage with clients between projects to strengthen trust and build a pipeline of work.

What We're Looking For

Experience and Qualifications, Required

• Ph.D. in child development, education, psychology or a related research field.
• Deep knowledge of early mathematics development, early childhood education practices, and the policies and systems that shape early childhood education.
• At least 5 years of experience leading applied research or evaluation studies, including mid- to large-sized or moderately complex projects with multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Experience leading or contributing substantially to research or evaluation proposals and building relationships with clients, partners, and funders; Experience building a pipeline of work with existing and prospective clients and partners.
• Record of presentations, publications, or other professional engagement at regional and national levels.
• Commitment to centering the voices and priorities of the communities our work serves.
• Expertise designing and overseeing complex, multi-method studies, including data collection and analysis.
• Proficiency with statistical or analytic software (e.g., Stata, SPSS, R).
• Knowledge of research ethics and compliance requirements, including Institutional Review Board processes and data security.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, timelines, and staff while meeting client needs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for reports, presentations, and publications for diverse audiences.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and provide clear direction and constructive feedback.

Preferred:

• At least five years of experience developing and leading early mathematics content that builds the capacity of ECE workforce and families to support children’s mathematics learning from birth through age eight.
• Bilingual and biliterate English/Spanish.
• Experience applying new and emerging methodological approaches to study design.
• Experience coaching others in writing and presenting evidence effectively.

How You'll Approach the Work

• Provides clear direction and feedback to project team members, sets expectations, monitors progress, and supports skill development through assignments.
• Creates an inclusive team environment, models effective collaboration and communication, and mentors colleagues in technical and project management skills.
• Integrates diverse perspectives to address complex issues, balances proven methods with innovative approaches, and anticipates risks and adjusts strategy proactively.
• Develops a deep understanding of what matters to clients, partners, end users, and affected communities, including unstated needs, and designs solutions that address root causes.
• Takes ownership of outcomes and results, not just tasks, and maintains high standards of quality, ethics, and transparency under pressure, addressing performance gaps constructively.
• Resolves conflicts constructively, integrates input across workstreams, ensures clear communication within project teams, and coaches others in inclusive, generous collaboration.
• Coaches others through change, builds practices that support team resilience and well-being, and creates psychologically safe environments where people learn from setbacks.

Location and Work Arrangement

• Location/geography: West Coast, Pacific Southwest preferred
• Work arrangement: Remote
• Travel: This position travels for project-related work (e.g., in-person data collection, site visits, filming), WestEd offices (for meetings, professional learning, or other gatherings), client meetings, or conferences on an as-needed basis; estimated travel up to 20%.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check, fingerprint validation and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level 12, is $122,400 to $191,300, but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $122,400 to $153,000. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors, including but not limited to education, experience, internal equity, and other organizational needs.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:

· 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option

· All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date

· PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k

· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives

· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

For more details about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/#benefits WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #Circa-Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)