Careers
Join us as we fund research and programs that unlock learning and the potential of young people.
The Jackie Bezos Researcher in Residence
Location: Seattle, WA
Reports to: Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives
Job Type: Full-Time/Temporary (Duration of Residency: 12 – 18 months)
The Bezos Family Foundation is seeking an inaugural Research Officer in Residence to support its mission of investing in the science of learning and the experiences youth need from birth to high school to pursue their own path for success. The full-time, temporary role will become a recurring 12-month to two-year position to help the Foundation ensure science remains in service to children and families, and those who serve them.
The position will join a team focused on expanding the Foundation’s research investments across a range of current and emerging priorities that include strengthening the research pipeline, translational research, participatory models, and the intersection of education and emerging technologies. This role provides a unique opportunity for a post-doc scholar or education professional to serve as an internal expert, contributing thought leadership and leading research projects and collaborations.
The first Researcher in Residence will focus on supporting additional development of the Foundation’s overall research strategy. Future hires may focus more specifically on expanding Foundation capacity in a specific area of research aligned to Foundation efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Advise on Research Initiatives
Work with the Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives to refine existing research priorities into actionable strategies.
Evaluate the effectiveness of current and past research investments to support continuous learning
Participate in and/or lead projects to more deeply understand field trends, gaps, and innovations in priority areas with a lens on more effectively serving children, youth, and families from historically marginalized and rural communities
Recommend improvements or new initiatives to address knowledge gaps and increase strategic impact
Manage and Source Research Grant Opportunities and Partnerships:
Serve as a liaison between the Foundation and a portfolio of research grant partners, reviewing progress toward grant milestones, identifying and addressing challenges, and sharing the partners’ work internally
Source potential grant investments aligned with priority areas; conduct due diligence, including analysis of research designs; and prepare written and oral funding recommendations to present to leadership
As appropriate, support other Foundation staff in evaluating potential investment opportunities (e.g. assessing the science behind an intervention, scoping investments from a research lens) to strengthen organizational learning and investment decisions.
Support Development of Internal Research Infrastructure and New Partnerships
Identify opportunities to enhance internal systems for gathering and sharing research knowledge
Represent the Foundation and cultivate external relationships with subject matter experts, research nonprofits, education institutions, and philanthropy colleagues to promote learning and collaboration.
Identify new outlets to share Foundation learnings and contribute to content on research investments and priorities.
Willingness to travel up to 10% to attend research-focused conferences and events.
Required Experience and Qualifications
Doctorate-level training in a relevant research discipline (e.g. education, psychology, neuroscience, or a related field) preferably with a focus on human development or education systems. Applicants with significant experience conducting or managing research efforts without doctoral-level training may also be considered.
Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills, with a history of using evidence to inform research, policy, or practice decisions. Ability to critically evaluate research opportunities, educational programs and interventions.
Experience with or functional knowledge of community-based participatory action research, research practice partnerships and other public impact research designs.
Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings effectively to a variety of audiences, including non-researchers, educators, policymakers, and philanthropic colleagues.
Experience in a community traditionally under-represented in research leadership roles and an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities especially as it pertains to early childhood and adolescent public education.
Demonstrated success in developing effective professional relationships, collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders, and seeking and integrating feedback.
Experience with grantmaking processes is a plus.
Characteristics
The successful candidate will possess these attributes:
Possesses a strong work ethic with the ability to deliver results.
Takes a positive, professional and proactive approach, particularly related to problem solving.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to build trust with external partners and strong cross-functional relationships across an organization to achieve common goals.
Sound business judgment and a skilled collaborator.
Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality.
Unwavering integrity, ethics and comfortable with an open and transparent work environment.
Innovative, resourceful and conscientious of organization’s brand and assets.
Strategic thinker, ability to map daily responsibilities to the organization's overall mission and goals.
Ability to work collaboratively and take initiative to support changing needs of the team.
Compensation & Benefits
Consistent with applicable pay transparency laws, the employer provides a range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired in the relevant location. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of things including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location, or other relevant factors.
The starting pay for this position is between USD $120,000.00 and $140,000.00. The employer also provides well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, a 529 Plan contribution and paid time-off.
Eligibility
US citizens and those authorized to work in the US are encouraged to apply. Work sponsorship is not available at this time.
Interested applicants should submit the following documents to: lindsey@hanselltierney.com with the subject of: Research Officer in Residence.
A cover letter outlining your research experience and interests related to the Foundation’s focus on education and child/youth development.
A detailed CV/resume.
A writing sample or research paper related to child/youth development, education or philanthropy.
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check.
Bezos Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and supports workplace diversity.