Job Details

Temporary Research Scientist in Tutor Professional Learning

Position Number: 7148089
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Temporary Research Scientist in Tutor Professional Learning

Requisition Number: 71883
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 13-May-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder anticipates hiring a temporary, full time Research Scientist specializing in professional learning. The project focuses on the professional learning of mathematics tutors, including using AI-generated feedback during coaching cycles to help improve their instructional practice. The position involves analyzing previously collected professional learning data from tutors and their coaches.

In this position, you will study professional learning provided to mathematics tutors who work remotely with middle and high school students. The position entails deeply understanding tutoring best practices and effective coaching supports, especially to promote student-centered and dialogic mathematics instruction. The position also requires an understanding of how AI-generated feedback can be incorporated into professional learning for tutors, as led by instructional coaches. As part of the position you will analyze and publish on data from our professional learning intervention and its impact on coaching, tutoring, and student learning as well as other outcomes of interest.

For early career scholars, this position offers a unique training experience and unsurpassed publishing opportunities within multi-department and multi-institution grant-funded projects. You will be encouraged to conduct real-world impactful research, strengthen your research portfolio via publications, and gain interdisciplinary experience by working with a diverse team. More experienced researchers will have the opportunity to hone their skills within a world-class research environment offering outstanding professional development options and an exceptional collaborative environment.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

You will become part of a highly collaborative and vibrant research team encompassing researchers in Education, Cognitive Science and Computer Science. Our team is housed in the Institute of Cognitive Science (ICS; https://www.colorado.edu/ics/), whose mission is to enhance human cognition, learning, and development through the creation of interdisciplinary partnerships. ICS fosters rich scientific interchange across researchers from a broad range of fields including Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics, Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Philosophy, and Education. ICS serves as an incubator of research centers and institutes such as the NSF National AI Institute for Student-AI Teaming (www.isat.ai) and the Learning Engineering Virtual Institute (LEVI - https://learning-engineering-virtual-institute.org/).

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Engaging in research examining the professional learning needs and experiences of mathematics tutors, including their work context, constraints, and resources
Leading mixed-methods analyses of data collected on tutor and student learning
Writing reports for a variety of audiences, including practitioners and researchers
Dissemination of project results by through publications, conference presentations, and other reporting requirements

What You Should Know

This is a temporary, 3 month position for summer 2026

Start date May 15, 2026
End date is August 15, 2026

You can choose to work remotely or in-person at the University of Colorado Boulder, located in Boulder, CO.

What We Can Offer

The hire rate for this temporary position will be $27.76 - $44.95 per hour.

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Ph.D. in Education, Psychology or a related technical field (at the time of appointment)
Strong writing skills and ability to conduct independent research
Experience providing professional support to teachers or other educators
Research experience in mathematics education or STEM education

What You Will Need

A strong understanding of effective instructional practice, professional learning, and/or evaluation of learning and instruction
Published research in education, cognition and learning, psychology or a related field

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover Letter.

Please apply by May 13, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Temporary-Research-Scientist-in-Tutor-Professional-Learning/71883