Edtech.com's Summary

EdReports is hiring a Principal, Learning Scientist. The role involves synthesizing evidence from learning sciences to develop and refine EdReports' curriculum review tools, ensuring they align with current research and instructional practices. The position bridges research, instructional expertise, and product development to enhance the effectiveness and equity of educational materials.

Highlights

Design and evolve EdReports' review tools based on current learning science and instructional research.
Synthesize research findings into actionable guidance for various subject areas including ELA, math, science, and pre-K.
Lead engagement with external experts and educators to incorporate feedback and emerging instructional trends.
Collaborate cross-functionally with product teams to integrate learning science into review tool strategy and development.
Advise senior leadership on learning science implications for review tools and innovation.
Apply an equity-centered approach to ensure review tools are inclusive and culturally responsive.
Minimum of 8 years applied research experience in education-related settings and advanced degree in relevant fields.
Strong skills in translating research into practical frameworks and advising on strategic decisions.
Salary range $119,981 to $179,971 annually, with final offers typically at or below the midpoint to maintain equity.
Responsibilities include national travel as needed and must be authorized to work in the United States.

Principal, Learning Scientist Full Description

Mission

EdReports.org is at the forefront of the curriculum reform movement. By increasing the capacity of educators to identify and demand the highest quality curriculum, EdReports.org is both disrupting a multibillion-dollar market and transforming the way students are taught and ultimately perform. With the firm belief that what is taught matters and that all students deserve high quality materials, EdReports.org publishes free, online, evidence-rich reviews of instructional materials. Explore our organization's core competencies in greater detail here.

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Purpose of Position

The Learning Scientist, embedded in the Review Design Innovation product team, ensures EdReports’ review criteria and evidence guides (referred to as EdReports’ review tools) are grounded in credible, current learning science and instructional research.

The Learning Scientist serves as a strategic and operational translator—synthesizing evidence about how learning happens and applying it to the design, evolution, and use of EdReports’ review tools in service to our curriculum reviews. This is an inaugural role and offers an opportunity to help establish a rigorous learning science practice as part of our curriculum review tools development process. The role bridges research, instructional expertise, and product development to ensure EdReports’ tools reflect sound learning models, valid efficacy criteria, and evidence-aligned instructional expectations.

The Learning Scientist partners closely with internal teams and external experts to ensure review tools respond thoughtfully to evolving research, instructional practice, and equity considerations.

Key Responsibilities & Outcomes

Responsibilities:

Serve as EdReports’ internal learning science expert for review tool innovation, grounding tool design and evolution in current research and evidence-based instructional practices.
Synthesize findings from learning sciences, educational research, and related fields into clear, actionable guidance for ELA, math, Science, and pre-K review tool development and refinement.
Lead field engagement strategies, such as advisories and listening and learning sessions, to solicit strategic feedback from external partners, field-facing experts, educators, and researchers to understand emerging research, instructional trends, and practitioner perspectives.
Translate complex research and expert insight into accessible frameworks, criteria, and design principles for internal teams.
Partner cross-functionally with product teams to integrate learning science into review tool strategy, development, piloting, and iteration.
Advise the Chief Academic Officer and other senior leaders on learning science implications for review tool priorities, design decisions, and long-term innovation.
Apply an equity-centered lens to learning science interpretation, ensuring review tools reflect inclusive, culturally responsive, and student-centered approaches to learning.
Contribute to internal documentation, guidance, and shared learning to build organizational understanding of learning science principles and their application.
Represent EdReports externally, as appropriate, in conversations related to learning science, instructional quality, and evidence use.
Other relevant duties as assigned to support the organization's strategic goals, with the expectation that all EdReports employees remain flexible and adaptable to evolving responsibilities.

Outcomes:

Review tools are grounded in current, high-quality learning science and instructional research.
Review tools reflect sound evidence and clearly articulated instructional assumptions.
Internal teams share a clear understanding of how learning science informs review criteria and tool design.
Senior leaders are supported with timely, well-synthesized insights to inform tool-related decisions.
Strong, trust-based relationships with learning science experts and instructional leaders inform EdReports’ innovation work.

Travel

National travel will occur related to organizational needs and for professional learning, as needed. The amount of travel will be monitored to ensure it is appropriate for both the organization and the Principal, Learning Scientist.

Qualifications

Required:

Passion for EdReports’ mission and vision, our core values, and our commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity.
Deep expertise in learning sciences, educational psychology, cognitive science, instructional design, or a closely related field, demonstrated through 8+ years of applied research experience in education-focused settings (e.g., nonprofits, school systems, research–practice partnerships, or similar contexts).
Demonstrated experience translating research into practical frameworks, criteria, tools, or guidance used by educators or education organizations or experience translating research into public facing non-specialist language.
Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders or influencing high-stakes strategic decisions based on research and evidence.
Strong ability to critically evaluate research quality, relevance, and limitations and communicate implications clearly to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation.
Experience partnering cross-functionally and engaging external experts or practitioners to inform applied work.
Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and demonstrated impact.
Residency in and authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred:

Experience applying learning science to product development
Experience working in or alongside nonprofit organizations, education agencies, or field-facing education initiatives.
Familiarity with instructional materials, curriculum evaluation, or large-scale education tools.

Salary

The salary for this position is $119,981 - $179,971 annually. At EdReports, we determine final salaries based on the role's requirements and the candidate's experience and skills, while maintaining equity within our compensation bands. To support fairness and provide opportunities for growth, we typically offer salaries at or below the midpoint of the range. All salary offers are non-negotiable to ensure consistency and equity across the organization.

Benefits

We know the importance of living a fulfilling, healthy life–both professionally and personally. That’s why some of the benefits we offer include:

Unlimited Discretionary Time Off (DTO) and Sick Time,
21 days of paid holidays and office closure days in 2026,
Monthly Communications Reimbursement,
Initial home office and technology setup stipend,
EdReports pays for 90% of health care for both the employee and their immediate family, and
401k that new hires become eligible for after six months of employment (includes safe harbor, employer match, etc.).

Work Authorization Requirements

All EdReports employees must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States. EdReports does not sponsor employment visas, and we are unable to consider candidates residing outside the U.S.

Physical Requirements

Work is normally performed in a remote office environment including, but not limited to standing and sitting for long periods of time; and fine-finger and hand manipulation to operate a computer and keyboard. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing electronic information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading. This person will travel by car, air, or other transportation (as indicated in the Travel section) and should be able to physically withstand the demands of such travel. Employee may be required to walk for long distances at retreat venues or other relevant sites.

Core Competencies

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, BELONGING, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY
Actively welcome diverse perspectives, center equity in decision-making, foster authentic and inclusive relationships that promote a sense of belonging, confront biases to build understanding, and continuously build knowledge of systemic inequities to inform behaviors that lead to an inclusive organizational culture.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Proficiently organize projects aligned with overarching objectives while proactively addressing challenges; ensure timely and high-quality fulfillment of responsibilities.
COMMUNICATION
Effectively engage stakeholders, actively listen to others, convey information for desired results, and adapt style to foster relationships and trust.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Consistently reflect, seek feedback, and apply new insights; identify and implement solutions that enhance individual, team, and overall performance.
CORE EXPERTISE
Possess skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform essential duties; keeps knowledge current; utilize multiple points of view to achieve goals and is a subject matter resource for others.
ORGANIZATIONAL STEWARDSHIP
Cultivate external relationships, uphold policies, leverage historical insights, actively participate in organizational improvement, and adapt to align with the needs of the organization.

Manager & Senior Leader Competencies

EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP
Cultivate and lead an environment of reflection, feedback, clear expectations, and support that drives individual and team excellence; manage with compassion and kindness by adapting leadership style to meet an individual’s needs.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
Adeptly address complex issues, engage others in decision-making and change initiatives; skillfully communicate information to foster team success; inspire momentum through purposeful direction.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Thoughtfully allocate, monitor, and reflect to optimize resource utilization and enhance overall effectiveness.

We Value All Voices

EdReports is committed to equal-employment principles and we recognize the value of committed employees who feel they are being treated in an equitable and professional manner. We strive to find ways to attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to meet business objectives, and to recruit and employ highly qualified individuals representing the diverse communities in which we live, work, and serve. As such, all employment decisions at EdReports are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

We are also committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your inquiries to our HR department at careers@edreports.org.

Original Job Description