Senior Research Scientist (Problem Gambling)

Education Development Center; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 140,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation benefits

Dependent Care FSA

Retirement plan

Sick time & personal time

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Education Development Center (EDC) seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead a growing portfolio on problem gambling and behavioral health. You will design and direct rigorous studies, build partnerships, translate findings into practice, and cultivate funding to sustain this work.

Responsibilities include serving as PI on multiple projects, overseeing data and methods, and producing high-quality reports, briefs, and publications for diverse audiences. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in public health, psychology, epidemiology, or related field.
• Deep expertise in problem gambling or related behavioral health areas.
• Proven PI/Co-PI on research, evaluation, or TA projects.
• Strong externally funded work history and grant experience.
• Advanced quantitative methods, longitudinal, multi-site designs.
• Ability to lead multi-method, multi-site projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
• Substantial peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow EDC’s portfolio of research, evaluation, and prevention initiatives on problem gambling and behavioral health.
• Serve as Principal Investigator on multiple projects from design through dissemination.
• Provide leadership in quantitative methods and data analysis.
• Oversee data collection, management, and validation for rigor.
• Write competitive proposals and expand the portfolio.
• Identify funding opportunities and cultivate funders for growth.
• Produce reports, manuscripts, briefs, and other complex materials.
• Deliver presentations at conferences and contribute to publications.
• Build partnerships with government, communities, and universities.
• Mentor teams and ensure high standards for quality and compliance.
• Oversee portfolio administration and troubleshoot implementation challenges.
• Travel nationally or internationally as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Quantitative methods

Study design

Proposal writing

Scientific writing

Data management

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Senior Research Scientist (Problem Gambling)

• Part-time

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that works with partners to advance every person’s journey to learn, work, and be well. For more than 65 years, EDC has partnered with communities, governments, and private sector to improve education, workforce development and health outcomes.

By combining interdisciplinary expertise with real-world experience, EDC works across these pillars to design, implement, and scale evidence-based solutions that help partners address complex challenges and create lasting change.

Founded in 1958, EDC today brings together a global team working across the United States and around the world. Our diverse portfolio of programs is supported by federal agencies, philanthropic foundations, multilateral institutions, and corporate partners.

EDC seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead and expand a growing portfolio of work on problem gambling and related behavioral health issues. In this role, the Senior Research Scientist will design and direct rigorous research and evaluation studies; build partnerships with community, governmental, and philanthropic organizations; translate findings into practice and policy; and cultivate and secure external funding to sustain and grow this body of work over time.

This is a Part-Time (50%) benefits eligible position. The person in this role will report to the Distinguished Scholar for EDC’s Be Well Transformation Area.

A strong candidate is currently under consideration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

• Lead and grow EDC’s portfolio of research, evaluation, and prevention initiatives focused on problem gambling and related behavioral health issues.
• Serve as Principal Investigator on multiple, complex projects, providing scientific and strategic direction from design through dissemination.
• Provide leadership in quantitative research methods, including study design, advanced analytics, and interpretation of findings.
• Oversee data collection, management, and validation processes to ensure rigor, quality, and reliability.
• Conceptualize and write competitive proposals (or major sections), including research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects that expand this body of work.
• Lead business development efforts by identifying funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with funders, and shaping a long-term growth strategy for the problem gambling portfolio.
• Produce high-quality written products, including reports, manuscripts, briefs, and other complex materials for diverse audiences.
• Develop and deliver high-visibility presentations at conferences, briefings, and stakeholder meetings; contribute actively to peer-reviewed publications.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with government agencies, community and professional organizations, and university collaborators to strengthen the field.
• Mentor and guide project teams, fostering constructive feedback, building capacity, and promoting high standards for quality and compliance.
• Oversee key administrative and logistical aspects of the portfolio and troubleshoot complex implementation challenges to ensure successful delivery.
• May travel nationally or internationally.

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, ScD, DrPH, or equivalent) in public health, psychology, epidemiology, social/behavioral sciences, or a related field.
• Deep content expertise in problem gambling and/or closely related areas (e.g., gambling disorder, addictions, behavioral health prevention).
• Demonstrated success serving as Principal Investigator or Co-PI on research, evaluation, or technical assistance projects.
• Strong record of externally funded work, including experience leading or substantially contributing to competitive proposals.
• Advanced skills in quantitative research methods (e.g., experimental/quasi-experimental designs, longitudinal analysis, multilevel modeling) and data management.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, design, and execute complex, multi-site or multi-method projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical findings for policymakers, practitioners, and community audiences.
• Substantial record of peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations relevant to behavioral health, problem gambling, or other risk behaviors.

EDC affirms its steadfast commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct, ensuring the protection of all individuals from misconduct, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of these rights. Safeguarding refers to the measures and practices put in place to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. At this time, the EDC is unable to support employment-based visa sponsorship.

EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits.

Total Rewards:

EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund)
• Paid sick time and personal time annually
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program

The starting full-timeequivalentbase salary range for this position is $103,000 - $140,000.