Program Researcher/Designer

Outcome School was born from deep curiosity and countless conversations, spirited debates, hard questions, bold ideas, lived logic, shared learning, and intercultural relationships built alongside people from low-income backgrounds, people of color, immigrants, refugees, people from rural communities, and women. Those early discussions centered on an urgent reality many talented people are still locked out of clear, affordable pathways into tech careers and entrepreneurship. We created Outcome School to help change that to open alternative routes into high-demand tech jobs and to support the launch of scrappy, bootstrap tech companies that solve real problems, create value, and hire from within their own neighborhoods. The need is clear. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, only 5% of tech workers are Black. And the gap becomes even more visible at the leadership level, where the Kapor Center reports that only 2% of executives are Latinx. Today, Outcome School continues to be guided and led by our vision. That lived experience and the perspective it brings shapes our mission, strengthens our decisions, and directs the work we do every day. About Outcome School Outcome School is a youth-focused, portfolio-driven tech education organization committed to expanding access to skills in UX/UI, software development, robotics, game design, and AI. We design learning experiences that are practical, human-centered, and deeply empowering — especially for underserved communities. We are building programs that feel as intentional as a great product. That's where you come in. Role Overview The Program Researcher/Designer is a strategic, research-driven role for someone who wants to shape the future of youth tech education. You will combine user research, curriculum design, and systems thinking to create programs that are effective, scalable, and grounded in real learner and volunteer needs. This role is ideal for PhD or Master's students in User Research Human-Centered Design Learning Sciences Instructional Design Education Program Design UX/UI or HCI If you love understanding people, designing experiences, and improving systems, this is a perfect fit. Key Responsibilities 1. Conduct User Research (Students & Volunteers) Study real users through interviews, surveys, usability tests, and field research Identify user needs, motivations, pain points, and behaviors Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to uncover patterns and insights Validate program ideas, prototypes, and curriculum concepts before implementation Communicate findings clearly to designers, instructors, and leadership Design the Learning Experience Define program goals, outcomes, and learner pathways Create curriculum structures, modules, lessons, activities, and assessments Ensure content aligns with industry expectations and youth learning patterns Integrate hands-on, project-based learning and real-world relevance ? 3. Build Systems & Workflows Design onboarding flows for students, volunteers, and instructors Create schedules, resource libraries, and operational workflows Develop templates, guides, and tools that make the program scalable Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth delivery Evaluate & Improve Programs Collect and analyze feedback from learners, volunteers, and instructors Measure learner performance and program effectiveness Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement Iterate curriculum and systems based on evidence, not assumptions What Makes This Role Unique You're not just designing lessons — you're designing an entire learning ecosystem. You'll operate like a product designer for education, ensuring every program is Human-centered Evidence-based Scalable Impact-driven Continuously improving Your research will directly shape how hundreds of young people learn tech skills and build their futures. Ideal Candidate You might be a great fit if you Are pursuing a Master's or PhD in a related field Have experience with user research methods Understand UX, HCI, learning design, or curriculum development Think in systems and enjoy solving complex experience problems Communicate insights clearly and visually Care deeply about youth empowerment and equitable access to tech education Time Commitment Flexible, remote-friendly 3–6 hours per week Ideal for graduate students seeking applied research experience, portfolio projects, or community impact work What You Gain Real-world user research and program design experience Portfolio-ready artifacts (research studies, curriculum maps, workflows, prototypes) Experience collaborating with designers, engineers, and educators Leadership opportunities in shaping a growing educational organization Meaningful impact on youth learning and community development J-18808-Ljbffr