Principal Research Scientist, AI-Driven Human Capital

Educational Testing Service, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Educational Testing Service, Inc. (ETS) in Denver invites applications for a Principal Research Scientist to lead a research program on human capital development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility in an AI-enabled world. You will guide a team of researchers and translate findings for educators, employers, and policymakers.

The role emphasizes rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods, collaboration, and securing external funding. A Ph.D. and substantial experience are required.

Qualifications

• Expertise in research on educational attainment, workforce readiness, human capital development, education-to-work transitions, economic mobility, or human capability assessment.
• Familiarity with labor market dynamics, workforce trends, job analysis, skill demands, and related data sources.

Responsibilities

• Lead and refine a research agenda on academic and workforce readiness science and the expansion of workforce pathways.
• Advance the science of readiness for education, work, and upward mobility—examining how skills and human capital shape outcomes in an AI-influenced economy.
• Investigate how skills, credentials, and experiences predict educational attainment, employment, earnings growth, and mobility.
• Advance research across CBE/CTE and other pathways, studying how skills are acquired, recognized, rewarded, and translated into opportunities.
• Design and validate measures translating evidence of capabilities into signals of readiness and predict outcomes.
• Lead proposals, publications, collaborations, and partnerships to support the agenda.

Skills

Educational attainment

Workforce readiness

Human capital development

AI impact on skills

Quantitative methods

Policy communication

Education

Ph.D. in relevant field

Job description

Educational Testing Service, Inc. (ETS) in Denver invites applications for a Principal Research Scientist to lead a research program on human capital development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility in an AI-enabled world. You will guide a team of researchers and translate findings for educators, employers, and policymakers.

The role emphasizes rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods, collaboration, and securing external funding. A Ph.D. and substantial experience are required.