Research Scientist

WGU Labs; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 98,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Governors University is seeking a Research Scientist for WGU Labs in Raleigh, NC. You will design and execute research on educational innovations, including AI-enabled learning and assessment tools, to inform product development and learning design.

Collaboration across disciplines and external partners is core to the role. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in learning science or educational research, with hands-on experience in mixed methods, data analysis, and AI-enabled

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or equivalent.
• 3+ years in Data Analysis, BI, Data Science, Statistics, or Educational Research.
• Proficiency in SQL for querying research data.
• Experience in R or Python for statistical analysis.
• Foundational knowledge of educational measurement concepts.

Responsibilities

• Own research plans and execute mixed-methods studies with valid, reliable findings.
• Design evaluation studies of educational products and AI-enabled tools.
• Use SQL and Python/R to prepare data and test hypotheses.
• Collaborate with research, learning design, product, and engineering teams.
• Translate findings into narratives, visuals, and publications.

Skills

SQL proficiency

Python or R

Data analysis

Learning science

Educational research

A/B testing

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Qualtrics

Recollective

Quirkos

Google Scholar

Excel

Job description

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: $98,300.00 - $147,400.00

Job Description

At WGU Labs, the Research Scientist will help shape the future of learning by designing and executing research on educational innovations, including AI-enabled learning and assessment tools. This role is ideal for a researcher who brings a strong foundation in learning science or educational research, enjoys turning complex questions into rigorous research plans, and can independently move research from design through execution and communication. You will work across research, learning design, product, engineering, and external partners to evaluate educational products and programs. You will use qualitative and quantitative methods to understand effectiveness, validity, and the learner experience, translating findings into insights that inform meaningful action.

What You’ll Do

• Own research plans and execute rigorous mixed-methods studies, selecting appropriate approaches to ensure findings are valid, reliable, and meaningful.
• Design and conduct evaluation and validation studies of educational products and AI-enabled tools, including learner interviews, surveys, usability testing, A/B testing, and quasi-experimental studies.
• Use SQL and R or Python to prepare and analyze data, apply statistical methods and classification algorithms, test hypotheses, identify relationships, and support research findings.
• Partner with research, learning design, product, engineering, faculty, and other stakeholders to translate research questions and user stories into technical requirements and actionable research plans.
• Synthesize academic literature and other primary and secondary research, identifying important findings, evidence gaps, and opportunities to inform educational innovation.
• Turn data and research findings into clear, compelling narratives, visualizations, presentations, reports, and publications for internal and external audiences, including contributions to grant-funded deliverables.
• Drive research projects with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to a collaborative research environment, sharing knowledge, mentoring peers on foundational research methods, and continuously building your own skills.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline.
• 3 years of related experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Research, Learning Science, or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
• Proficiency in SQL for querying and preparing research data.
• Experience using R or Python for statistical analysis and evaluating AI-enabled tools, requiring minimal supervision.
• Foundational knowledge of educational measurement and evaluation concepts, including reliability, validity evidence, and inter-rater agreement.
• Experience selecting and deploying research methods and techniques, including A/B testing, quasi-experimental approaches, mixed methods, and others.
• Knowledge of learning science research and its application to educational products and programs, with the ability to independently define an approach and execute against a research question.
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Additional skills important to success include experience with survey and qualitative research software such as Qualtrics, Recollective, or Quirkos; proficiency using Google Scholar and peer-reviewed journals to identify reliable research; advanced Excel knowledge; familiarity with project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile, and SDLC; and the ability to apply sound judgment, systems thinking, and analytical skills to complex problems.
• You should also be comfortable integrating AI tools, such as Claude and Microsoft Copilot, into research, data analysis, coding, and project workflows while critically verifying AI-generated output for accuracy, validity, and alignment.

Bonus Points

• Master’s or doctoral degree in learning sciences, educational psychology, cognitive psychology, educational measurement, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
• Experience conducting research on educational technology, including AI-enabled tools.
• Experience with assessment design, validation, psychometrics, or educational measurement methods.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration. We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.

• Introductory call
• Hiring manager interview
• Team interview
• Leadership interview

Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Raleigh, NC office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

• Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

Additional Information Disclaimer

The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail]. Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law. In 1997, a coalition of 19 U.S. governors founded Western Governors University with a singular vision: to make higher education more accessible by offering full degree programs online. Starting small, we quickly expanded. Today, we’re one of the largest accredited online universities in the U.S.

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