WGU Labs
WGU Labs Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
Join to apply for the
Research Scientist - WGU Labs
role at
WGU Labs .
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Technical 406. Pay Range: $95,900.00 - $143,800.00.
Job Description At
WGU Labs , we’re reimagining what learning can be — anywhere, for anyone. Our research explores how technology, including AI-powered learning solutions, can expand access, improve outcomes, and create new pathways to success across the postsecondary education ecosystem. From traditional higher education to emerging models of workforce learning and skills development, we investigate what works and why.
We’re seeking a
Research Scientist
who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is passionate about using evidence to drive innovation in learning. In this role, you’ll design, develop, and test solutions that — at scale — have the potential to shape equitable, high-impact learning experiences for diverse learners and contexts.
Ideal candidates bring deep curiosity, methodological rigor, and a belief that research can unlock opportunity for all learners. You’ll join a team that values experimentation, cross-sector collaboration, and the conviction that great research fuels transformative change in education.
Job Duties
Drives the documentation of data and research needs in medium/high complexity projects with a student and equity-centered lens.
Takes ownership of mid-level research projects as defined by leadership, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Translates user stories into technical requirements and develops effective research plans.
Mentors peers on basic research methods and processes, fostering a collaborative team environment.
Demonstrates the ability to present research findings to internal stakeholders and external audiences.
Sets and manages expectations about research tasks and activities through clear, timely, and effective communication.
Identifies adequate data sources and data sets for hypotheses, forecasts, and findings.
Collaborates with Data Engineering on ETL/ELT processes and data pipelines.
Investigates and solves complex data issues, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Combines data analysis, visualization, and narrative to convey information compellingly.
Conveys information effectively to peers, partners, and senior leaders, and handles external audiences as required.
Defines and owns communication plans in collaboration with communications team.
Creates and organizes information about processes and insights for institutional knowledge.
Writes technical documentation such as data models.
Contributes to enrichment of data management platforms.
Drives tasks and projects with autonomy and collaboration, contributing to strategic discussions.
Owns research plan execution, maintaining validity and reliability of findings.
Organizes and synthesizes across primary and secondary sources.
Selects and deploys statistical and predictive models as needed.
Abides by data policies and secure handling practices.
Collaborates on designing and building data products with technical specialists.
Tracks and reports progress, dependencies, and challenges.
Pursues continuous learning and growth; embodies a growth mindset.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
Advanced SQL proficiency, including joins, window functions, CTEs, and performance tuning.
Expertise in Tableau and Power BI for data visualization.
Experience conducting studies using A/B, quasi-experimental, mixed methods.
Proficiency with qualitative research software (e.g., Recollective, Quirkos).
Ability to ensure research plan execution with minimal supervision.
Proficient with Google Scholar, peer-reviewed journals for literature review.
Experience in Python/R, ML environments, and data tools.
Comfort with project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile).
Advanced Excel, MS Office suite, and diagramming tools (Miro, Visio, Lucidchart).
Knowledge of university KPIs.
Analytical and systems thinking skills for risk assessment and recommendations.
High autonomy, reliability, and self-direction; bias for action; ability to manage concurrent tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.
3 years of related experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Research, Learning Science, or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions may substitute for education degree requirements.
Position & Application Details Full-Time Regular Positions (40 standard weekly hours). Eligible for bonuses; comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, telehealth, mental healthcare, health savings account, flexible spending, insurance coverage, retirement plan, wellbeing program, tuition discount, flexible paid time off, 12 weeks of parental leave, 11 paid holidays.
How to Apply: Submit an online application. Internal WGU employees must apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Research Scientist - WGU Labs
role at
WGU Labs .
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Technical 406. Pay Range: $95,900.00 - $143,800.00.
Job Description At
WGU Labs , we’re reimagining what learning can be — anywhere, for anyone. Our research explores how technology, including AI-powered learning solutions, can expand access, improve outcomes, and create new pathways to success across the postsecondary education ecosystem. From traditional higher education to emerging models of workforce learning and skills development, we investigate what works and why.
We’re seeking a
Research Scientist
who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is passionate about using evidence to drive innovation in learning. In this role, you’ll design, develop, and test solutions that — at scale — have the potential to shape equitable, high-impact learning experiences for diverse learners and contexts.
Ideal candidates bring deep curiosity, methodological rigor, and a belief that research can unlock opportunity for all learners. You’ll join a team that values experimentation, cross-sector collaboration, and the conviction that great research fuels transformative change in education.
Job Duties
Drives the documentation of data and research needs in medium/high complexity projects with a student and equity-centered lens.
Takes ownership of mid-level research projects as defined by leadership, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Translates user stories into technical requirements and develops effective research plans.
Mentors peers on basic research methods and processes, fostering a collaborative team environment.
Demonstrates the ability to present research findings to internal stakeholders and external audiences.
Sets and manages expectations about research tasks and activities through clear, timely, and effective communication.
Identifies adequate data sources and data sets for hypotheses, forecasts, and findings.
Collaborates with Data Engineering on ETL/ELT processes and data pipelines.
Investigates and solves complex data issues, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Combines data analysis, visualization, and narrative to convey information compellingly.
Conveys information effectively to peers, partners, and senior leaders, and handles external audiences as required.
Defines and owns communication plans in collaboration with communications team.
Creates and organizes information about processes and insights for institutional knowledge.
Writes technical documentation such as data models.
Contributes to enrichment of data management platforms.
Drives tasks and projects with autonomy and collaboration, contributing to strategic discussions.
Owns research plan execution, maintaining validity and reliability of findings.
Organizes and synthesizes across primary and secondary sources.
Selects and deploys statistical and predictive models as needed.
Abides by data policies and secure handling practices.
Collaborates on designing and building data products with technical specialists.
Tracks and reports progress, dependencies, and challenges.
Pursues continuous learning and growth; embodies a growth mindset.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
Advanced SQL proficiency, including joins, window functions, CTEs, and performance tuning.
Expertise in Tableau and Power BI for data visualization.
Experience conducting studies using A/B, quasi-experimental, mixed methods.
Proficiency with qualitative research software (e.g., Recollective, Quirkos).
Ability to ensure research plan execution with minimal supervision.
Proficient with Google Scholar, peer-reviewed journals for literature review.
Experience in Python/R, ML environments, and data tools.
Comfort with project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile).
Advanced Excel, MS Office suite, and diagramming tools (Miro, Visio, Lucidchart).
Knowledge of university KPIs.
Analytical and systems thinking skills for risk assessment and recommendations.
High autonomy, reliability, and self-direction; bias for action; ability to manage concurrent tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.
3 years of related experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Research, Learning Science, or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions may substitute for education degree requirements.
Position & Application Details Full-Time Regular Positions (40 standard weekly hours). Eligible for bonuses; comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, telehealth, mental healthcare, health savings account, flexible spending, insurance coverage, retirement plan, wellbeing program, tuition discount, flexible paid time off, 12 weeks of parental leave, 11 paid holidays.
How to Apply: Submit an online application. Internal WGU employees must apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr