Principal Learning Scientist - K12 Emphasis

### **Position:** **Principal Learning Scientist \-** **K12 emphasis** ### **Position Type: Full\-time (Primarily Remote)** ### **Salary: $145,000\-$175,000 DOE** ### ***Join our team at Lemnis! Lemnis is a public charity dedicated to harnessing transformative change to expand learning for all. We are excited to announce a new opportunity for a*** ***Principal Learning Scientist******to join our innovative, forward\-thinking, and growing organization. At Lemnis, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member can thrive. If you are passionate about expanding learning for all, eager to make a meaningful impact, and ready to take on new challenges, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and be a part of our journey!*** ### **Position Summary** ### **At Lemnis, we believe that the world is changing in exciting ways. It's up to us to create more equitable, flexible, and learner\-centered systems that empower young people to rise to the challenges and opportunities of the future.** **The** **Principal Learning Scientist** **closes Lemnis's internal research gaps \- identifying where evidence is thin, siloed, or missing across the Lemnis collective and building the studies, frameworks, and measurement models needed to fill them.** ### **Reporting to the Vice President of Research and partnering closely with the Director of Research, this is a principal\-level individual\-contributor role for a scientist who can move fluidly across companies and product lines, translate findings into concrete product and feature recommendations, and equip Sales and Marketing with research\-informed data points that build trust and drive growth.** ### **Where the Director of Research owns partner\-embedded studies and the day\-to\-day rigor of research operations, the Principal Learning Scientist owns the collective's internal research agenda, working in partnership with the Lemnis Learning and Impact team to surface the unanswered questions about how students engage, belong, and succeed across the learner\-to\-earner journey, from K\-12 through workforce, and ensuring every Lemnis company can act on rigorous, portfolio\-wide insight rather than one\-off, single\-company data.** ### **Core Responsibilities** **1\. Cross\-Portfolio Research Strategy** * Conduct a standing audit of research gaps across Lemnis collective companies, identifying where evidence is thin, contradictory, or missing * Partner directly with business leads across each Lemnis company to build and prioritize a portfolio\-wide research agenda, translating business priorities and desired impact outcomes into a shared set of research questions on student engagement, belonging, self\-efficacy, and persistence * Regularly review research priorities with business stakeholders to confirm the agenda stays tied to measurable business and impact goals, adjusting scope as company strategy evolves * Design studies that generalize across companies and product lines, rather than one\-off, single\-partner analyses * Maintain a shared internal evidence base so findings from one Lemnis company inform strategy and roadmap decisions at another * Build and maintain a theory of change and logic model for Lemnis collective organizations, nested within the Lemnis theory of change **2\. Applied Research \& Measurement** * Design and execute studies: RCTs, quasi\-experimental designs, longitudinal analyses, social network analysis, and psychometric/survey work, to answer priority research questions * Apply and refine behavioral science frameworks (e.g., the SPARK model, self\-determination theory, mindset science, nudging) across Lemnis products and messaging * Build measurement models for engagement, belonging, self\-efficacy, purpose and future readiness that hold up across companies, populations, and product types * Ensure methodological rigor, ethical execution, and alignment with Center for Ethical AI (CEAI) standards across all research * Identify the outcomes Lemnis Collective organizations can credibly influence and set defensible attribution standards that distinguish correlational, quasi experimental, and causal claims * Align study designs with recognized evidence standards (e.g. ESSA tiers, What Works Clearinghouse) so findings are usable in K\-12 and postsecondary procurement **3\. Product \& Feature Translation** * Translate research findings into concrete, actionable product and feature recommendations for Lemnis companies * Partner with Collective teams to embed behavioral science principles directly into features, messaging, and user experience * Help prioritize research\-backed opportunities on the product roadmap and validate feature performance post\-launch * Serve as the primary translator between academic evidence and product decision\-making across the collective * Recommend in\-product features that enable partner institutions, districts, and schools to self\-assess their impact **4\. Sales, Marketing \& Customer Success Enablement** * Equip Sales and Marketing with research\-informed data points, proof points, and ROI narratives across the Lemnis portfolio * Develop reusable evidence assets \- one\-pagers, slide content, talking points, data visualizations \- that make complex findings clear and compelling * Support RFPs, renewals, and competitive positioning with credible, research\-backed differentiation * Partner with Marketing on thought leadership, case studies, and campaigns grounded in Lemnis's research base * Support Sales, Customer Success, and Implementation teams in interpreting and communicating efficacy data accurately **5\. Center for Ethical AI (CEAI) Contribution** * Contribute research and evidence to the CEAI's four pillars: Research \& Evidence, Implementation \& Practice, Ethical Standards, and Field Leadership * Co\-author frameworks, white papers, and standards that shape ethical AI practice in student engagement * Represent Lemnis research at conferences, convenings, and partner events **6\. Cross\-Functional \& Cross\-Company Collaboration** * Partner with the Director of Research to keep partner\-embedded studies and internal research agendas aligned, not duplicative * Build relationships with leaders across each Lemnis collective company to surface emerging research needs early * Mentor research scientists and analysts on study design, measurement, and evidence translation as the collective grows ### **Key Performance Indicators** * Number and priority\-fit of internal research gaps identified and closed across the collective * Research findings translated into shipped product or feature changes * Sales and Marketing enablement assets produced and actively used in deals * Consistency and reuse of measurement frameworks across Lemnis companies * Publications, frameworks, white papers, and conference contributions * CEAI contributions (frameworks, standards, convenings) * Time from research question identified to actionable recommendation delivered ### **Principal Learning Scientist Profile** We are seeking a principal\-level research scientist with: * Doctorate in psychology, learning sciences, education, or a related behavioral science field * 8\+ years designing and executing applied research, including randomized controlled trials, quasi\-experimental designs, and mixed\-methods studies * Deep expertise in belonging, identity, motivation, and social\-emotional development, and how these shape student engagement and persistence * Fluency in advanced quantitative methods (e.g., structural equation modeling, social network analysis) alongside qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, narrative and digital storytelling approaches) * Background in education technology, including assessment and efficacy research or large\-scale learning\-outcomes studies * Demonstrated ability to translate research into product decisions, not just publications * Experience developing evidence assets that support sales, partnerships, or business development * Familiarity with ethical AI principles, IRB processes, and responsible research practices in education * Comfort operating across multiple companies or business units, synthesizing evidence into a shared, portfolio\-wide narrative * Excellent written and verbal communication; able to move between academic rigor and executive clarity * Understanding of how K\-12 districts and post\-secondary institutions make decisions and define success (preferred) ### **Core Competencies** * Applied research rigor across qualitative and quantitative methods * Behavioral science fluency (SPARK, self\-determination theory, nudging, implementation intentions) * Evidence\-to\-product translation * Evidence\-to\-narrative storytelling for sales and marketing * Cross\-company, portfolio\-level systems thinking * Ethical AI awareness and responsible research practice * Intellectual curiosity, scientific integrity, and collaborative influence without authority We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.