foundry10 is an education research organization with a philanthropic focus on expanding ideas about learning and creating direct value for youth. Candidates must live in Washington State or Massachusetts. Candidates working near foundry10 offices are welcome to work hybrid (in-person and at home as needed). Travel from Massachusetts to Seattle will not be covered for those working remotely. We are not able to sponsor visa applications, and to be considered for this position, you must be eligible to work in the United States. To protect our staff, partners, and the youth we serve, we require all foundry10 employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation.

Summary of Role

The Conceptual Development Lab at foundry10 is looking to hire a temporary, part-time Graduate/PhD Student Researcher to assist in the design, execution, and analysis of research studies focused on modeling parents’ and caregivers’ lay theories and beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccination (e.g. Powell, Weisman, & Markman, 2023, JEP : General; link: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-53287-001). 

• The Graduate/PhD Researcher will implement advanced modeling techniques to understand and/or predict vaccination decisions. Examples of such techniques might include machine learning, probabilistic cognitive models, Bayesian network approaches, or other graphical modeling approaches; the precise analysis methods are open. The ideal candidate will be prepared to lead the research team through decisions surrounding analysis and modeling (including survey design, sampling plans, the development and implementation of analysis code, and the interpretation of results). 
• The Graduate/PhD Researcher may also have the opportunity to contribute to other projects in foundry10’s Conceptual Development Lab and to assist in sharing pieces such as conference submissions, manuscripts for academic journals, community presentations, and blog posts. 

The Graduate/PhD Researcher will work closely with foundry10 Senior Researcher Dr. Dominic Gibson and external collaborators including Dr. Kara Weisman on research projects that require skills or expertise in the Graduate/PhD Researcher’s field of study. They will provide substantial collaboration on research projects, including helping to develop all aspects of the research process (e.g., designing a research study, recruitment parameters, data analysis techniques, technical and non-technical writing). The ideal candidate has (1) advanced training in quantitative research methods (e.g., machine learning, Bayesian networks or other graphical modeling approaches, advanced statistical modeling), (2) strong written communication skills, and (3) research expertise in psychological/cognitive sciences, public health, or computer science. Prior interest in vaccine hesitancy is appreciated but not required.  

This is a part-time, temporary position with variable hours of 8-15 hours per week, for approximately 6 months or longer depending on project needs, with an anticipated start date in October 2024. The pay range for this position is $35 to $45 per hour. Applicants must live in the state of Washington or Massachusetts to apply.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of research on caregivers’ lay theories and beliefs about vaccination
• Work with Senior Researchers, Junior Researchers, and collaborators on developing/executing all stages of the research process, with an emphasis on data analysis, including:
  • Data cleaning
  • Quantitative Data analysis via statistical analysis and other advanced modeling techniques (e.g., machine learning, probabilistic cognitive models, Bayesian network approaches, or other graphical modeling approaches)
  • Sharing results through written reports, presentations, conferences, and other relevant mediums
  • Survey and experimental design
  • Conducting literature reviews
• Independently carry out data collection, analysis, and research communication with guidance and mentorship from Senior Researchers
• Effectively communicate plans and findings internally with a diverse team of collaborators
• Assist in writing specific peer-reviewed publications and/or present at a professional conference

Education and Experience

• Working towards or recently completed a doctoral graduate degree (PhD) in related social science field (e.g., Human Development, Psychology, Sociology), public health, or computer science
• Advanced training in quantitative methods (e.g., survey design, advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, Bayesian networks or other graphical modeling approaches)
• Demonstrated proficiency in R, and/or other programming languages used to conduct statistical analyses, train ML models, etc.  Experience writing for academic audiences