Senior Research Scientist

Role overview

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is hiring a Senior Research Scientist / Manager to support and expand its research work in the United States. This is a remote role based in the US and sits within a growing research group that collaborates closely with colleagues in the UK and across other global markets.

You will report to the Director of Research and Impact and help shape and carry out the research agenda developed with the Chief Learning Officer. The work focuses on how young people learn computing, AI, data science, and computational creation in both formal and informal learning environments, and how that evidence can strengthen the Foundation’s products, programs, and broader field impact.

This position suits someone with research experience in computing, AI, data science and/or education, along with project delivery and people management capability. You may also be responsible for guiding a small team of researchers and coordinators.

Location, schedule, and working arrangements

This role is based in the United States and is fully remote. Candidates must be eligible to work in the USA. Because the organisation operates globally, you will need to overlap with core UK working hours of 09:00–17:00 for at least three hours each day, regardless of your time zone. Travel to Cambridge, UK may be required roughly once every quarter.

The organisation offers a flexible and collaborative way of working and is open to making the role work for the right person.

Compensation and employment terms

The salary range is $120,000 to $140,000 per year, full-time equivalent, with the final offer depending on experience and location. The range is intentionally broad to reflect regional market differences and varying levels of experience, and the organisation will calibrate compensation to remain fair and competitive.

Employment is permanent, and the role can be full-time, part-time, or flexible.

What you will do

• Partner with the Director of Research and Impact to define new research projects in computing, AI, and data science education across US and international settings, including formal and informal learning spaces.
• Guide and support researchers and coordinators so projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Take the lead on implementing and executing research initiatives.
• Help produce and share research outputs that are rigorous and high quality.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, research partners, and external collaborators.
• Contribute research insights to the design of products and tools at the Foundation.
• Ensure research findings are used across curricular and digital products.
• Help promote and scale the use of computing, AI, and data science education research in the wider community.
• Author research reports and contribute to peer-reviewed academic publications.
• Present findings at conferences and publish internal and external blog content, including articles in Hello World.
• Stay current with developments in the field and continuously improve your own professional practice.
• Represent the Foundation’s research to outside audiences and stakeholders alongside the Director of Research and Impact.
• Maintain clear communication within the team and with external partners.

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate will bring strong research expertise and a proven ability to deliver complex work. The Foundation welcomes applicants who can show some, but not necessarily all, of the experience and attributes listed.

• A PhD in education, learning sciences, a related discipline, computer science, AI, data science, or a similar field.
• At least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Strong specialist knowledge of research methods and techniques.
• A track record of delivering projects against objectives.
• Experience managing a team.
• Comfort managing your own workload and handling project administration.
• Experience preparing grant applications or other funding submissions.
• The ability to juggle multiple priorities and work through uncertainty.
• Strategic and conceptual thinking about research design and delivery.
• A collaborative and supportive leadership style.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel.

About the organisation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is an independent nonprofit with a worldwide mission to help young people reach their potential through computer science and digital technologies. In the US, the work is delivered through Raspberry Pi Foundation North America, a registered 501(c)(3) organisation.

The Foundation supports schools with free curricula, classroom materials, purpose-built software tools, and teacher professional development. It also runs large coding-club networks to inspire young people to become creators of technology, while producing original research that improves its own work and contributes to the wider computer science education field.

Its resources and learning experiences are free to use. The Foundation places particular emphasis on opportunities for learners who face educational disadvantage and those historically underrepresented in technology.

Over the last decade, the organisation has supported hundreds of thousands of educators and tens of millions of students. It has teams in six countries, including India, Ireland, Kenya, South Africa, the UK, and the US, and works with mission-aligned nonprofit partners in more than 60 countries.

Benefits

• Paid time off: US full-time staff receive 15 days of PTO, plus 3 extra days for the company-wide year-end closure, in addition to public holidays.
• Retirement savings: a 401(k) plan with 100% employer match on employee contributions up to the first 5%.
• Private healthcare: medical, dental, and vision cover for you and your dependents through United Healthcare and Guardian.
• Flexible working: policies designed to give you flexibility in when and where you work.
• Support for parents and carers: generous family leave and additional flexibility.
• Life and disability cover: group term life insurance and disability insurance for added financial protection.
• Learning and development: access to learning resources, training, and dedicated development time.

Application timeline

Applications close on July 31, 2026. Phone screens are planned for the week of Aug 10, 2026. First-round interviews are expected during the week of Aug 17, 2026, and final-round interviews during the week of Aug 24, 2026.

Recruitment process

Applicants will be asked to answer a small set of screening questions and submit a resume. Applications that pass the initial screen will be reviewed by the recruitment team and the hiring manager, and all submissions are checked for authenticity. The organisation allows AI tools to support applications, but any material submitted must be genuinely your own work and tailored by you.

A small number of candidates will be invited to an initial phone conversation with the hiring manager to confirm understanding and answer questions. The usual process includes two interviews, which may be held in person, with the hiring manager and at least one additional colleague. Candidates are normally given a work-based assessment before interviews so they can demonstrate how they would approach a relevant task.

If you need adjustments to the recruitment process, including support related to neurodiversity, you can contact the People and Culture team at recruitment@raspberrypi.org.

Safeguarding

The Foundation is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to support this commitment, and anyone appointed will need to complete a background check confirming suitability to work with children. Additional background checks may be carried out periodically.