[Hiring] Senior Research Scientist @HMH

Role Description

The NWEA Learning Sciences Division seeks a Senior Research Scientist to join the Research and Policy Partnerships (RPP) team, with a primary focus on research consulting and applied partner support.

• Serve as a trusted research advisor to school districts, researchers, and internal HMH stakeholders, helping them interpret and appropriately use MAP Growth data and research evidence to inform educational decisions.
• Lead research consulting engagements from initial scoping through delivery, including clarifying partner questions, determining appropriate analytic approaches, defining feasible deliverables, conducting analyses, and communicating findings and implications.
• Use statistical software (such as R, Python, or SQL) to independently access, query, and work with large-scale assessment data in HMH’s Snowflake data environment.
• Apply expertise in educational research, assessment, and research design to address complex and often ambiguous questions from partners and colleagues.
• Translate technical research, data, and assessment concepts into clear, actionable guidance for audiences with varying levels of research expertise.
• Design and deliver partner-facing presentations, technical consultations, custom analyses, data visualizations, and other forms of applied research support.
• Collaborate with colleagues across NWEA and HMH to respond to partner needs while identifying opportunities to develop reusable resources and scalable approaches to common questions.
• Conduct and contribute to rigorous applied research using large-scale assessment and education data in alignment with RPP’s mission and research agenda.
• Communicate research findings through formats appropriate to the intended audience, including research reports, policy and practitioner briefs, presentations, data visualizations, and other accessible products.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with educators, district leaders, researchers, and colleagues across HMH.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience conducting educational research and/or providing research, data, or assessment consultation, preferably involving large-scale assessment or longitudinal education data.
• Ph.D. in Education, Educational Measurement, Public Policy, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.

Requirements

• Strong quantitative research background and demonstrated ability to select and apply methods appropriate to applied research questions.
• Proficiency with statistical software such as R, Stata, Python, or similar tools is required.
• Strong SQL skills and experience independently querying and working with large-scale datasets is preferred.
• Experience working directly with educators, district or state leaders, or other stakeholders to scope and address research and data questions.
• Translating complex research findings, analyses, and assessment concepts into practical guidance for nontechnical audiences.
• Independently managing partner-facing projects from initial scoping through analysis and delivery.
• Conducting rigorous educational research using large-scale assessment or longitudinal data.
• Building productive relationships and collaborating across disciplines and functions.
• Understanding of K–12 educational assessment and measurement, including how assessment data can appropriately inform educational decisions.
• Understanding of K–12 education policy and practice.
• The strengths and limitations of different research designs and data sources and how those considerations affect the conclusions and recommendations that can responsibly be offered.
• Ability to move effectively between technical analysis and partner-facing consultation.
• Clarify ambiguous questions, identify the underlying decision or need, and recommend an appropriate analytic or research approach.
• Communicate clearly with audiences with varying levels of research, data, and assessment expertise.
• Exercise sound judgment about what research and data can and cannot appropriately answer and communicate those boundaries clearly.
• Balance multiple consulting engagements and research responsibilities while delivering high-quality work on agreed-upon timelines.
• Travel approximately 10-20% of time to support partner consulting engagements, conferences, and other internal and external events.

Benefits

• Salary Range - $120,000 to $130,000. Our salary ranges are based on national averages. We have wide ranges so we can be flexible and determine compensation based on a number of factors including the candidate’s skills, experience, education, and location.
• Our Culture and Benefits - https://careers.hmhco.com/culture_benefits

Application Deadline

August 25, 2026. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available past this date but is not guaranteed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HMH is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, citizenship status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran, other covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. We actively participate in E-Verify.