foundry10 is an education research organization with a philanthropic focus on expanding ideas about learning and creating direct value for youth. In collaboration with a wide range of partners, we surface, evaluate, and share opportunities to better support youth learning both inside and outside the classroom. Building on more than a decade of impactful work, our unique approach blends applied and basic research, philanthropy, and education programs rooted in evidence-based best practices.

Summary of Role

Computational cognitive science offers powerful tools for enhancing learning in and outside of the classroom, and for addressing pressing needs in K-12 and post-secondary education. Applicants for this role should have a strong interest in education and desire to use the computational tools and machine learning techniques to expand ideas about learning and create direct value for youth. 

Researchers at foundry10 employ a wide range of quantitative and qualitative approaches, drawing from a variety of disciplines (e.g., education science, psychology, human-centered design, economics, information science, museology). This role will complement and expand on our existing strengths through both independent research and analysis as well as multidisciplinary collaboration across our organization and in partnership with external institutions. 

Applicants should have deep expertise in appropriate domains (machine learning principles, large language models (LLMs)/generative AI, and other computational cognitive science techniques, ethics and privacy), bring novel ideas and expertise, and experience-based insights. Qualified candidates will have advanced research skills (e.g., data analysis techniques, knowledge of study design, visualizing and interpreting data) and be comfortable with sharing generalizable findings using different mediums alongside peer-reviewed publications. 

This position reports to the Director of Research. The salary range for this position is $184,425 to $307,375 per year, depending on experience. 

Research Areas of Interest

The Computational Cognitive Science/Machine Learning Senior Researcher will have a focus on pursuing research related to formal and informal K-12 and post secondary education. In particular, we are interested in research areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Modeling human cognition, learning, belief revision, and behavior
• Analyzing learning inputs, such as: educational materials, social media, parent-child interactions, interactions with generative AI
• Using machine learning, large language models/generative AI, and comparable computational tools for analysis of quantitative datasets and simulations (for example, network analysis, graphical models, causal inference, computational modeling)
• Applying ML and related computational tools to evaluate qualitative data sets, for example,  natural language processing, and developing/implementing qualitative coding schemes.
  

Responsibilities

The Senior Researcher will be expected to progress towards annual individual goals while additionally engaging in collaboration and expanding the capabilities of the Research Team.

Research

• Designing and contributing to a balanced portfolio of research projects that includes independent research in line with organizational objectives and shared research projects that support connections with research labs, philanthropy, communications, and youth programs
• Developing interesting and important questions regarding education in a space that values and supports creative approaches towards learning
• Representing foundry10 at conferences, within publications, and face-to-face with a variety of community partners
• Employing a variety of methodologies, using various qualitative and quantitative methodologies, analysis strategies, and study designs as needed to address current research questions
• Making informed decisions about when to extend vs. redirect or close off lines of inquiry, depending on progress and likelihood of yielding useful and actionable insights
• Leading operations and partnership tasks (e.g., coordination of external data collection services, communication with external partners) as needed

Collaboration & Service

• Collaborating with foundry10 researchers (pursuing collaborative research projects, identifying and pursuing opportunities for secondary analysis of existing foundry10 datasets, etc.)
• Gaining background knowledge and expertise in other related/unrelated fields within foundry10’s research domains and interest areas
• Actively reading and engaging with current research/techniques/technologies and bringing new knowledge to the organization and their teams as a result of engagement with relevant topics
• Working collaboratively with foundry10’s Communications Team to communicate actionable insights to various learning and research communities as well as with lay-people in the educational community
• Providing expertise and support to foundry10’s research team (for example: engaging in collaborative research, advising on study design and analysis, contributing to literature reviews or gap analyses, facilitating workshops for skill development)

This is not an exhaustive list, other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Education and Experience

• PhD in Cognitive Science, Psychology, Information Science, Applied Computer Science, or related discipline, with at least 2-5 years relevant post-PhD work experience
• Demonstrated history of publishing academic articles using machine learning, large language models (LLMs)/generative AI, or other computational cognitive science techniques to study human cognition, learning, and/or behavior
• Experience in both academia and industry preferred
• Experience independently leading and conducting research with minimal supervision 
• End to End project design, execution and completion 
• Experience on a variety of projects with multiple stakeholders
• Experience mentoring and/or managing students, junior researchers, and/or research staff

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Strong background in research ethics, particularly research ethics involving children and adolescents
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, in interpersonal and research settings
• Ability to manage time and track several project timelines at once
• Ability to work self-sufficiently and identify areas where processes could be improved 
• Ability to cross multiple subject areas and quickly gain a basic understanding of new areas
• Ability to work collaboratively with researchers from other fields and specializations

We cannot 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 to adhere to our masking and COVID testing policies when working in person.

To be considered for this role, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter detailing how your interest and qualifications align with this position
• Resume or CV
• Peer-reviewed publication

Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. The priority deadline is April 17, 2026, and we will accept applications on a rolling basis as needed after this date. 

The interview process will consist of the following steps:

Step 1: Zoom audio interview (1 hour)

Step 2: Zoom video interview with Research team members (1. 5 to 2 hours)

Step 3: If needed, zoom video interview with the Director of Research and/or CEO (1 hour)

Step 4: Background and professional reference checks

foundry10 offers competitive salary and benefits that include:

• A 4-day workweek
• A flexible and hybrid work schedule
• Full Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their dependents
• $1,500 yearly education stipend
• $3,000 yearly wellness and hobby stipend, before taxes
• Generous paid time off that includes:
  • 4 weeks of vacation time annually and additional accrual with tenure
  • 12 paid holidays
  • 56 hours of paid sick and safe leave frontloaded annually
  • Week-long office closures twice a year - each summer and winter
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance paid fully by foundry10

Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. foundry10 strives to provide a work environment free from discrimination and harassment because of a protected characteristic. The organization does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, creed, citizenship, status, national origin, ancestry, gender, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, religion, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities with the application and interviewing process as well as essential job functions.