Research Scientist

Research Scientist

Center for Effective Organization

USC Marshall School of Business

Since its founding in 1979, the Center for Effective Organizations (CEO), a research center in the USC Marshall School of Business, is world-renowned for its breakthrough research and insights on organizational performance, effectiveness and talent management. Today, CEO is at the forefront, discovering and creating the latest knowledge in the design and management of organizations for companies that range from mid-sized to the Global 500. Our research scientists and practitioners have extensive experience bridging research and practice in organization design, change and transformation.

CEO distinguishes itself from other applied research centers and consulting organizations by partnering with organizations to rigorously assess the relevant and strategic issues facing them, applying proven interventions guided by that assessment, and evaluating the effectiveness of the engagement. For more information on the Center for Effective Organizations, visit: https://ceo.usc.edu/

A Research Scientist is both a scholar and consultant. They bridge the gap between academic theory and practical business strategy. Research Scientists work closely with corporate sponsors and Fortune 500 organizations to improve organization design, talent strategy, and workforce performance.

Research Design & Data Execution:

• Formulate research studies independently on key topics such as organization design, workforce agility, people analytics, organizational transformation, business processes and AI transformation.
• Collect complex data sets using methods like quantitative surveys, executive interviews, and direct organizational diagnostics.
• Analyze workplace patterns to identify trends in team behavior, leadership efficacy, and structural flaws in the organization design.
• Oversee compliance guidelines for human subject research and data privacy to maintain institutional integrity.

Corporate Partnership & Executive Consulting:

• Partner with executives at large organizations to align their organizational structures with strategic goals.
• Develop actionable tools and operational frameworks that companies can use to manage internal change.
• Deliver diagnostic feedback directly to corporate sponsors and clients based on data collection from projects
• Facilitate interactive workshops and strategy sessions to help companies test new organizational theories.
• Facilitate in-person and online custom and public workshops and labs for executive teams

Dissemination of Knowledge & Thought Leadership:

• Publish scientific papers, and practitioner-focused articles and editorials in top-tier journals and business, management, and human resource outlets.
• Write industry reports or papers intended for senior executives and C-suite readers.
• Present research findings at major academic conferences and industry executive forums.
• Host public webinars and education sessions to broadcast cutting-edge theories to the management community.

Funding & Program Management:

• Support business development and secure external funding through corporate sponsorships, projects, foundation grants, and research contracts.
• Manage project timelines and budgets for corporate projects and research initiatives.
• Collaborate with networks of global scholars, affiliated faculty, and industry leaders through serving on boards and attending conferences.

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file).
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions*; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

The annual base salary range for this position is $117,128.22 - $135,000. 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.

The USC Marshall School of Business is ideally positioned to address the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment and is ranked as one of the country’s top schools for accounting, finance, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship and international business studies.

USC Marshall builds on the unique opportunities that stem from its Los Angeles location on the Pacific Rim, its interdisciplinary and impactful research, the momentum generated by the University of Southern California, and the unparalleled engagement of the Trojan Alumni Family. With ready access to industries defining the new business frontier, including bio-technology, life sciences, media, entertainment, communications and healthcare, this vast network offers USC Marshall graduates exceptionally strong support for success in the global marketplace.

For more information on the USC Marshall School of Business, visit: www.marshall.usc.edu.

Minimum Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Minimum Experience: 5 years

Minimum Skills: Directly related education and experience in research specialization with highly advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures, analysis methods, principles, theories and concepts. Demonstrated leadership in developing new ideas and ability to publish in appropriate academic and practitioner outlets. Demonstrated independent thinking and leadership in scholarly writing according established criteria (e.g., first-authored publications, conceptual leadership in the development of publications generated alone or with others, writing of first drafts of publications and/or single-authored publications).

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$151356.htmld