Research Associate, Usability & Learning

About the role

Level is a learning technology company dedicated to helping students build real academic and life skills with confidence and joy. We are committed to helping every person maximize their potential and live a life of meaning. We are looking for a curious, detail-oriented Research Associate to support our usability and learning research lab.

You'll work closely with our Usability Expert and Lab Manager to run studies with children and families, collect and organize data, and help us understand how kids learn and play. This is a hands-on role — you'll spend real time with real kids, operating lab equipment, running sessions, and turning raw observations into useful findings.

Responsibilities

• Study Facilitation & Data Collection: Facilitate usability, playtesting, and learning sessions with child and parent participants under the direction of the Lab Manager
• Follow established research protocols and session guides, flagging issues or deviations
• Take detailed observational notes and manage in-session data capture (video, screen recording, behavioral logs, biometric data, etc.)
• Lab Operations Support: Assist in setting up, calibrating, and breaking down lab equipment before and after sessions
• Help maintain lab readiness: equipment checks, consumables, scheduling logistics
• Support participant coordination including screening, scheduling, and consent documentation
• Data Processing & Analysis: Transcribe, code, and organization qualitative data from sessions
• Assist with quantitative data entry, cleaning, and basic analysis
• Help synthesize findings into summaries, highlight reels, and presentation-ready materials
• Working with Children: Build rapport with child participants to help them feel comfortable and engaged during sessions
• Uphold ethical research standards and child safety protocols at all times
• Adapt facilitation style to different age groups and learning contexts

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human Development, Education, Cognitive Science, HCI, or a related field
• Experience working directly with children (research, tutoring, teaching, childcare, camp, etc.)
• Comfort with technology and a willingness to learn specialized lab tools and software
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols consistently
• Reliable, organized, and able to manage logistics across multiple sessions

Nice to Have

• Experience with qualitative research methods (interviewing, observation, think-aloud protocols)
• Familiarity with usability or UX research concepts
• Experience with video annotation, screen recording, or behavioral coding tools
• Background in educational technology, game design, or child psychology
• Graduate coursework or research experience in a relevant field