Role Snapshot
The Research Scientist will support a growing portfolio of educational leadership and systems improvement projects at Indiana University's Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, playing a key role in Indiana's State Personnel Development Grant and the CELL School Leadership Initiative. This non-tenure track position will drive research, evaluation, and the translation of evidence-based practices across K-12 education in Indiana.
Key Responsibilities: Design, implement, and disseminate research and evaluation activities; contribute to grant development, management, and reporting; collaborate with educators, school leaders, state agencies, and community partners to support systems improvement and implementation initiatives. Translate research into practice-focused resources and support the broader portfolio of grants, master service agreements, and emerging initiatives.
Skills & Tools: Strong research design and evaluation methodologies; grant writing and project management; scholarly writing and professional dissemination; collaborative leadership and stakeholder engagement; and expertise in K-12 education, educational leadership, special education, or implementation science.
Qualifications: Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in education, educational leadership, special education, public administration, organizational leadership, social sciences, implementation science, or related field; minimum five years of professional experience in education, program coordination, leadership development, or systems improvement; demonstrated experience designing and conducting research or evaluation initiatives.
Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation for this role is $65,000 – $85,000/year based on research scientist title, doctorate-level experience, non-tenure track status at a public university, and Midwest location (Bloomington, Indiana).
Job Description
Research Scientist
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applications received by September 30th, 2026 will receive full consideration. The anticipated start date for this position is November 1st, 2026 but is negotiable. Applicants should include a CV and cover letter.
Posting Details
Position Details
Title
Research Scientist
Appointment Status
Non-Tenure Track
Department
IU Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Location
Bloomington
Position Summary
The Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL), within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, seeks a Research Scientist to support a growing portfolio of projects focused on educational leadership, inclusive practices, implementation support, systems improvement, and positive outcomes for children and youth across Indiana. This position will play a key role in supporting Indiana’s State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), including the CELL School Leadership Initiative (CSLI), while also contributing to a broader portfolio of grants, master service agreements, partnerships, and emerging initiatives.
The Research Scientist will work collaboratively with CELL staff, educators, school and district leaders, state agencies, families, and community partners to design, implement, and disseminate research and evaluation activities; contribute to grant development and management; and support the translation of research into practice.
Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent terminal degree) in education, educational leadership, special education, public administration, organizational leadership, social sciences, implementation science, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in education, program coordination, leadership development, implementation support, systems improvement, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, implementing, or supporting research, evaluation, or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Evidence of scholarly writing, technical reports, presentations, publications, or other professional dissemination activities.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate on externally funded projects, grants, contracts, or research initiatives.
Department Contact for Questions
Questions about the position should be addressed to Director, Pennie Gregory (pmgregor@iu.edu).
Additional Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience publishing research, evaluation findings, technical assistance products, or practitioner-focused resources.
- Record of presenting at state, national, or professional conferences.
- Experience serving as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, project director, or key personnel on grant-funded initiatives.
- Experience developing grant proposals, securing external funding, or contributing to funded projects.
- Demonstrated leadership within professional organizations, state initiatives, research centers, or educational improvement efforts.
- Experience in K–12 education, educational leadership, special education, school improvement, instructional coaching, or related educational settings.
Special Instructions
Applications received by September 30th, 2026 will receive full consideration. The anticipated start date for this position is November 1st, 2026 but is negotiable. Applicants should include a CV and cover letter.
For Best Consideration Date
09/30/2026
Expected Start Date
11/01/2026
Posting Number
IU-101660-2026