Lead Learning Experience Designer, Translational Research and Educational Innovation

To date, what is happening in the brain has not been firmly connected to what is happening in the classroom. The mission of the USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) is to bring educational innovation and developmental affective neuroscience into partnership, and to use what is learned to guide the transformation of schools, policy, and the student and teacher experience for a healthier and more equitable society. By inventing new study methods and launching a transdisciplinary conversation about the goals and processes of education in the modern era, CANDLE integrates research in schools and laboratory settings, leveraging the expertise of both practitioners and scientists. Located in USC Brain and Creativity Center, the Center serves as a dynamic hub for translating this research back to educators and policymakers. 

A core focus for the Center is to ensure that the science that is developed is put into practice and policy for the betterment of the educational system.  CANDLE conducts synergistic field and laboratory research to learn more about how educators and students think and feel, and how these thoughts and feelings are related to their brain development, deep learning, health and achievement in various contexts, now and over time. We document live teaching and learning while simultaneously capturing physiological data, and then follow up in the lab with interviews, authentic learning and teaching activities, and brain scans.  CANDLE provides a much-needed forum for scientists and educators to work together by facilitating in-depth conversations, professional learning centers and scientific gatherings. The Center helps educators answer the “so what?” question about neuroscience—what neuroscience means for structures and practices in schools and how neuroscience informs the professional toolkit needed by teachers in contemporary classrooms. CANDLE also helps neuroscientists know what kind of work is needed most by educators in the field.

Summary

The USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) seeks an experienced instructional designer and learning architect to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of educator learning experiences, professional learning resources, and instructional frameworks grounded in developmental affective neuroscience.

Working at the intersection of research and practice, the Lead Instructional Designer will translate emerging scientific insights into accessible, engaging, and actionable learning experiences for educators, school leaders, students, and other stakeholders. The position plays a critical role in ensuring that CANDLE’s research-informed frameworks are effectively communicated through high-quality learning resources, facilitation tools, implementation guides, digital learning experiences, and professional learning programs.

The successful candidate will serve as a lead designer and implementation partner for CANDLE’s educational innovation initiatives, including the Innovation Lab, COLABs, educator professional learning experiences, resource development projects, and other translational efforts that connect neuroscience, human development, and educational practice.

In addition to designing learning experiences and materials, this position will facilitate professional learning sessions, train educators and program participants in the effective use of CANDLE frameworks, and support implementation efforts in diverse educational settings.

This position will report to the Senior Director of Educational Practice and Innovation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of educator learning experiences, instructional resources, facilitation guides, and implementation tools.
• Translate developmental affective neuroscience research into practical learning experiences and resources for educators, school leaders, students, and community partners.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on CANDLE’s educational frameworks and approaches, including transcendent thinking, developmental affective neuroscience, and educator professional learning.
• Design and oversee learning architectures for in-person, virtual, hybrid, and asynchronous learning experiences.
• Develop resource libraries, toolkits, protocols, reflection instruments, implementation guides, and multimedia learning assets.
• Facilitate workshops, design sprints, professional learning sessions, and implementation training for educators and school teams.
• Partner with researchers, educators, program staff, and external collaborators to ensure scientific integrity and practical relevance of all learning materials.
• Support the design and facilitation of CANDLE’s COLABs, Innovation Lab initiatives, and related educator learning communities.
• Establish quality standards and review processes for instructional materials developed across CANDLE initiatives.
• Utilize educator feedback, implementation data, and evaluation findings to refine learning experiences and instructional resources.
• Contribute to proposal development, grant-funded projects, publications, and dissemination activities related to educational innovation and translational research.
• Represent CANDLE in conversations related to learning design, professional learning, neuroscience-informed education, and instructional innovation.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Deep understanding of developmental affective neuroscience and its implications for educational practice.
• Significant experience designing professional learning experiences for educators, school leaders, and adult learners.
• Expertise in whole-child development frameworks and learner-centered educational design.
• Familiarity with SOLD (Science of Learning and Development) frameworks and their application in educational settings.
• Knowledge of Project Zero frameworks, visible thinking routines, performance-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and related approaches.
• Strong understanding of transcendent thinking and experience designing learning experiences that foster reflection, meaning making, perspective taking, purpose development, ethical reasoning, and deeper forms of engagement.
• Experience translating complex research findings into practical tools, protocols, and educator-facing resources.
• Expertise in facilitation, adult learning, group process design, and professional learning communities.
• Experience working collaboratively with researchers, educators, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong visual communication and learning experience design capabilities.
• Knowledge of implementation science, continuous improvement methodologies, and educational change processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, human development, and learner well-being.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred; doctorate preferred in Education, Learning Sciences, Human Development, Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology, Organizational Learning, or related field.
• 7–10+ years designing educator professional learning and instructional resources.
• Experience working in K–12 school systems and/or educator professional development organizations.
• Experience facilitating multi-day professional learning institutes, design sprints, or communities of practice.
• Experience developing both digital and face-to-face learning experiences.
• Familiarity with educational research methodologies and evidence translation.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams that include researchers and practitioners.
• Experience supporting large-scale implementation of educational innovation initiatives.

Minimum Education:

• BA, MA, MEd required; EdD, PhD preferred in a related field
• Combined experience/education as substitutefor minimum education

Minimum Experience:

• 7 years

Minimum Field of Expertise:

• Directly related educational design and K-12 teaching and leadership experience. Expert knowledge of education, expertise in collaborative neuroscience—education research, and/or active in related organizational engagements.

Preferred Education:

• EdD, PhD

Preferred Experience:

• 10 years

Applications should be submitted via usccarreers.usc.edu and should include the following:

• Resume or CV and a cover letter, including any other documents requested (Our system will allow you to add additional documentation by clicking the “upload” button in the same section where you attach your resume.)

The annual base salary range for this position is $141,000–$150,000. 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.

Minimum Education:

BA, MA, MEd required; EdD, PhD preferred in a related field Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 7 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related educational design and K-12 teaching and leadership experience. Expert knowledge of education, expertise in collaborative neuroscience—education research, and/or active in related organizational engagements.

Job ID REQ20176485

Posted Date 06/12/2026