Research Scientist (Mixed Methods Specialization)

SSP International•Wilmington, DE

15h•$85,000 - $90,000•Remote

About The Position

SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery. Guided by our mission, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a global network of over 4,300 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found at www.ssp.org . SSPI seeks an early-career research scientist who is excited to apply rigorous mixed-methods and qualitative research to real-world STEM education programs with national reach and relevance. This role is ideal for an early career researcher who wants to deepen their expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods evaluation while collaborating with senior researchers, educators, and partners. The Research Scientist will play a leading role in qualitative inquiry—designing interviews, conducting fieldwork, and analyzing implementation and impact—while contributing to quantitative and experimental studies. SSPI values emerging scholars who are motivated by equity-centered science education, interested in translating research for funders and practitioners, and eager to grow as applied researchers whose work informs both continuous program improvement and the broader scholarship. Under the direction of the Director of Research and Evaluation, the Research Scientist will be responsible for evaluating new and existing STEM education programs. Working with the Director of Research and Evaluation, research partners, and funders as appropriate, the Research Scientist will implement and manage high quality mixed methods and implementation design research within rigorous evaluation studies in education. The ideal candidate is a mixed methods researcher with 0-3 years of postgraduate experience, who is skilled in conducting mixed methods program evaluation and research in educational contexts. Their research should address barriers to equitable and inclusive learning environments.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Education, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field (PhD preferred), with coursework and research experience in mixed methods and qualitative research.
0–3 years of post-graduate experience in mixed-methods program evaluation or education research, ideally conducted alongside randomized controlled trials and/or quasi-experimental designs.
Demonstrated experience designing and leading qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and qualitative analysis in educational settings.
Strong background in building partnerships and engaging with educators, researchers, and community stakeholders.
Strong understanding of current trends in STEM and science education reform, including equity-focused and NGSS-aligned approaches.
Ability to think strategically and develop equity-centered mixed-methods evaluation plans, including within randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, implementation studies, and in-depth qualitative inquiries, translating complex designs into actionable plans in collaboration with senior research staff.
Knowledge of statistical software programs (R, Excel) and qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti), with the ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings.
Expertise in mixed-methods evaluation and research design, with particular strength in qualitative methodologies such as case study analysis, thematic analysis, and content analysis.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to conduct data cleaning, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and synthesize findings into clear, compelling narratives for internal learning, funders, and scholarly audiences.
High familiarity with K–12 education policies, conditions, and learning environments, with an understanding of reform-oriented science education grounded in the Framework for K–12 Science Education.
Exceptional communication, organizational, and management skills, including the ability to facilitate data collection with diverse stakeholders and communicate findings effectively across audiences.
Ability to create detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables, while contributing to and coordinating multiple concurrent research and evaluation efforts.
Self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to work independently in a fully remote environment, effectively managing time, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines while staying responsive and communicative.
Demonstrates commitment to SSPI’s Mission and Values in their daily work and interactions.

Responsibilities

Assist in the design and management of comprehensive, high-quality mixed-methods STEM education evaluations and implementation research that align with SSPI’s mission, strategic goals, and commitment to equitable science learning.
Co-lead, partner, and/or support the various phases of program evaluation and research, including study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and scaling across diverse educational contexts.
Provide methodological leadership for the qualitative and mixed-methods components of ongoing and new research projects, including case studies, thematic analysis, and content analysis that deepen understanding of program implementation and impact.
Support the establishment and management of project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring efficient use of resources and long-term sustainability while maximizing learning and impact.
Co-author evaluation reports and scholarly and practitioner-facing publications on selected projects, translating rigorous research findings into accessible, actionable insights for funders, educators, and policymakers.
Collaborate with educators, researchers, and industry experts to design and implement evaluations, including developing interview and focus group protocols and conducting interviews, focus groups, and observations with varied stakeholders.
Contribute to identifying and analyzing emerging trends in STEM education evaluation, assessment, workforce needs, and community interests to inform strategic decision-making and identify opportunities for new initiatives.
Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps in SSPI’s current offerings and opportunities for new or expanded program evaluations and research efforts.
Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness using quantitative and qualitative data, applying findings to continuous improvement and future program design.
Work closely with the program operations and marketing teams to ensure evaluation findings inform program refinement, storytelling, and outreach strategies.
Prepare and present clear, compelling reports and briefings to management, staff, funders, and other key stakeholders.
Collaborate with the External Affairs team on aspects of grant proposals and in developing marketing and communication strategies that credibly convey evaluation design, findings, and impact to philanthropic and federal/state audiences.
Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, media opportunities, and community events as a knowledgeable representative and emerging thought leader in reform-oriented and equity-centered science education and evaluation.
Performs other duties as assigned.