Catalyst Material Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you looking for purpose-driven work where you can make a positive impact on communities around the world? If so, then Committee for Children is an amazing place to grow your career as a Research Scientist. We’re a social enterprise dedicated to advancing the well-being of children through the development of essential human skills. As a Research Scientist at CFC, you’ll provide expertise in social-emotional learning, education, and child development research to support the Innovation Team in the design and development of new K-12 programs and solutions. This role conducts literature reviews and product evaluations (including user-centered research, pilot studies, field tests) to generate actionable insights that inform product development across a variety of content areas. The Research Scientist collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to help identify emerging needs, test new concepts, and support development of evidence-based products that improve outcomes for students.

Our team is collaborative, creative, and passionate about our work. You’ll have an opportunity to make an impact every day and have a say in the way we use client success to transform the lives of children.

What you’ll do when you join us:

• Conduct literature reviews across relevant disciplines, including education, developmental psychology, neuroscience, prevention science, and educational technology and synthesize findings to inform product development.
• Conduct exploratory research to identify emerging student, educator, and market needs that may inform future product innovation.
• Translate research evidence into practical recommendations that support product design, content development, and implementation strategies.
• Conduct concept testing, prototype evaluations, and user feedback studies to validate product opportunities and inform iterative design decisions.
• Develop and manage research plans, timelines, and deliverables for assigned research initiatives
• Design and develop data collection instruments, including surveys, focus group and interview protocols.
• Collect and manage quantitative and qualitative data in accordance with established research protocols.
• Conduct descriptive and inferential analyses using appropriate statistical methods.
• Interpret findings, create data visualizations, and identify meaningful insights, trends, and implications for product improvement.
• Prepare research reports, presentations, summaries, and other deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure research practices, instruments, and reporting consider inclusivity, representation, and potential sources of bias.
• Collaborate with Innovation Team members, including product manager, instructional designers, editors and other team members, to identify user needs, validate assumptions, and incorporate research findings throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Listen actively and seek to understand diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Navigate differing viewpoints constructively and contribute to productive discussions.
• Communicate research findings in ways that support shared understanding among technical and non-technical audiences.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 3+ years of experience conducting program evaluation involving K-12 schools, product research, or related research activities
• Master's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Research Methods, or related field required.
• Experience conducting applied research to support product development, innovation, program design, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of K-12 education, social-emotional learning, child development, mental health or related areas
• Experience designing and implementing surveys, interview and focus group protocols, and other research instruments.
• Experience working with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), including preparing and submitting research protocols, informed consent and assent materials, recruitment materials, and related documentation to support ethical review and approval of research involving human participants.
• Strong knowledge of descriptive and inferential analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of principles related to equity, inclusion, representation, and bias in research.
• Ability to communicate research findings through repots, presentations, and stakeholder discussion.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Applications (e.g., Excel, Forms) and statistical and qualitative analytical software such as SPSS, R, NVivo or similar research tools.
• Travel Requirements: This role requires occasional travel to the Seattle office for team meetings, all-staff events, and data collection activities, typically 2 to 4 times per year.

Note: This position is remote; employees are eligible to work remotely in any of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA.

The hiring range for this position is $84,000-100,000 annually. The pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.

What we offer

Our benefits, perks, and rewards are aimed at helping you live your best life at CFC.

• We cover 100% of your premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage and 50% for your dependent’s medical and dental premiums
• Retirement plan + company match up to 3%; CFC
• A flexible work subsidy: $100 per month that you can use on things like phone and internet costs, office supplies, or even commuting costs
• 16 paid holidays (including winter break and 1 floating holiday), 3 weeks' vacation in your first year, and separate sick leave accrual
• Other great benefits include: monthly contribution to childcare and/or dependent expenses, FSA account, parental leave, sabbatical leave, employee assistance program, annual wellness reimbursement, growth and development opportunities, disability and life insurance.

About us

At Committee for Children, we’re dedicated to advocating for policies to enhance, gathering research to support, and developing educational programs to advance the safety and well-being of children through development of essential human skills.

We’re best known for our innovative Second Step® family of programs, which blend research and rigor with intuitive design to help young people build strengths that will help them realize their goals throughout life. We believe that if you make a positive impact on enough children, the ripple effect will help a family, school, community, and ultimately, the world.

We’re proudly building a more equitable workplace.

We’re committed to providing a place that empowers you to bring every bit of who you are to work. When you’re able to be yourself, you do your best work. It’s as simple as that.

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, without regard to race, color, age, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, genetics, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Apply now and help us achieve our vision of safe children thriving in a just and peaceful world.