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Assistant Research Professor: Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CAJob$95–100K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$95–100K/yr
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

The Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice seeks an assistant research professor to conduct mixed-methods research on a grant focused on strengthening minoritized students’ STEM identity. The role includes survey and longitudinal data collection, research design and analysis, collaboration on manuscripts, and dissemination to stakeholders. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree and should bring educational equity expertise, a strong publication record, and direct experience with middle school STEM interventions and Los Angeles-area public-private partners.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Mixed-Methods ResearchSurvey Data CollectionLongitudinal Data CollectionRCT AnalysisQED AnalysisEducational EquitySocial JusticeMiddle School STEM InterventionsCollaborationCollegiality

Qualifications

Doctoral DegreeStrong Publication RecordDirect Middle School ExperienceLos Angeles Public-Private Partner Experience

Full job description

The mission of the USC Rossier School of Education is to prepare leaders to achieve educational equity through practice, research and policy. We work to improve learning opportunities and outcomes in urban settings and to address disparities that affect historically marginalized groups. We teach our students to value and respect the cultural context of the communities in which they work and to interrogate the systems of power that shape policies and practices. Through innovative thinking and research, we strive to solve the most intractable educational problems.

The Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice is seeking an assistant research professor to conduct mixed-methods research for a 2-3 grant focused on bolstering the STEM identity of minoritized students. The position entails assisting with survey data collection and leading a team of researchers in longitudinal data collection in the Los Angeles area, collaborating on RCT (Randomized Controlled Trials), quasi-experimental design (QED) analyses, and mixed-methods project data in support of producing manuscripts for conferences and publications, and disseminating results to various stakeholders (e.g., campus stakeholders or conference presentations, reports, journal manuscripts). Candidates must have an earned doctoral degree. Candidates should have expertise in educational equity and social justice, a strong publication record, and a commitment to collaboration and collegiality. Candidates should have direct experience working with middle school students in STEM interventions and public-private partners in the Los Angeles area. Candidates with a background and commitment to equity and improving opportunity and outcomes for historically underserved groups are especially desired.

The Rossier School of Education is ranked in the top 10 private schools of education. Our faculty is nationally recognized for scholarly activity, external research funding, and professional service. Our work is guided by five sets of values, characterized as: results-oriented, collaborative inquiry, combining research and practice, innovation, and commitment to diversity, which is improving urban education locally, nationally, and globally. We achieve this mission through rigorous scholarship, innovative degree programs, and multiple partnerships with schools, community groups, and other organizations.

The annual base salary range for this position is $95,000-$100,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Applicants must provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three names for references. The cover letter should include specific examples of the applicant’s commitment to equity and improving opportunity and outcomes for historically underserved groups. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

A doctorate is required.

How this job compares

Set against the 4,869 open Researcher jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 31, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$95–100K/yr
  • California median$150–233K/yr462 salary ranges
  • US median$100–150K/yr2,231 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $98K, is 51% below the California median midpoint ($198K) — in the lowest quarter of Researcher salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 782 open Researcher jobs in California and 4,869 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Researcher postings that state a minimum ask for 4 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 5 years (1,605 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 2,072 of the 4,869 open Researcher jobs (43%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 31, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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