Senior Applied Learning Scientist

Learning Commons is Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s education initiative, which aims to scale proven teaching and learning practices to benefit every learner. Learning Commons became the name of our education efforts in 2025 to build on the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s work over the past decade to advance learning science and help translate that research into classroom practice.

The Team

At Learning Commons, we pair technology with grantmaking to scale proven teaching and learning practices to benefit every learner. We aim to translate what learning science tells us about how students learn best into classroom practice. With the advent of generative AI, that translation work can be accelerated and scaled to have a greater impact. 

Our mission is to bring learning science into the tools used every day by teachers and students, ensuring that technology reflects the realities of classrooms and strengthens teaching and learning.

In today’s fragmented edtech landscape, school districts are often left piecing together products that don’t always align with curricula or instructional needs. While AI holds enormous potential to support educators, it can only deliver on that promise when grounded in research, high-quality educational data, and expert evaluation. That’s why we’re building open, public-purpose infrastructure — datasets, rubrics, and resources — that help raise the standard for educational tools and create more consistent, impactful learning experiences for all students and teachers.

At our core, we are builders, and our unique builder philanthropy approach is what sets us apart from other education funders. Take a closer look at the highlights and significant milestones of CZI’s first eight years of education work.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Applied Learning Scientist to support our team in translating learning science research into educational products and partnerships. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that inform our product development strategy and support pedagogical innovation. You'll work on diverse projects and assignments while building your expertise in applied learning science within the educational technology space.

What You'll Do

• Execute diverse learning science work involving independent judgment and analysis while developing professional expertise in evidence-based learning practices
• Guide and participate in planning workstreams that impact work components and processes of broader learning science projects
• Advise on pedagogical alignment of programs or partnerships within learning science disciplines, contributing to research, identification and recommendation of partners, technologies and best practices
• Analyze various learning science inputs including feasibility, market and other factors to support product roadmaps and strategy decisions
• Contribute to development of project roadmaps while ensuring best pedagogical practices are integrated
• Interact with learning science partners to support initiatives and manage nuanced interactions with guidance from senior team members
• Evaluate diverse applications of learning science principles and assess impact of programs or projects on desired learning outcomes
• Develop pedagogical insights and provide feedback to development teams on learning science recommendations

What You'll Bring

• Demonstrated experience in most areas of the Applied Learning Science function with in-depth specialization in some areas
• Comprehensive understanding of evidence-based learning practices and principles
• Proven experience advising on project, program and product development with multiple stakeholders
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively reach audiences with a range of experiences and understanding
• Ability to work as a team consultant with skills in inclusively soliciting input to build momentum for decisions and establishing relationships across teams
• Independent approach to recommending solutions for new assignments where projects regularly require new methods and approaches
• Experience building relationships with diverse researchers, external agencies, nonprofits, programs and service providers to build support for evidence-based learning initiatives

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for this role is $106,000 - $146,300. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

Work Mode

As we grow, we’re excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team’s manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

Benefits for the Whole You 

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Annual benefit for employees that can be used most meaningfully for them and their families, such as housing, student loan repayment, childcare, commuter costs, or other life needs.
• Life of Service Gifts are awarded to employees to “live the mission” and support the causes closest to them.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving to the Bay Area

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

#LI-Hybrid #CZE