People Research Scientist

About the Role

Wealthfront is seeking a People Research Scientist to join our Organizational Performance group. This role focuses on studying employee performance, identifying success enablers, and understanding environments and practices conducive to development. You will collaborate closely with People Operations leadership and function leaders across the company. The position involves studying the career progression of managers and senior individual contributors to understand their growth drivers, with a specific focus on the unique needs of each group.

Key Responsibilities

• Run qualitative and small-N quantitative research on performance, career progression, manager effectiveness, and retention, using interviews, focus groups, surveys, and people data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to translate findings into programs.
• Design and launch new programs in partnership with function leaders, measure their results, and iterate for improvement.
• Partner with People Operations leadership on organizational design, leveling, and career pathways.
• Set clear expectations for success at each level for individual contributors and managers.
• Build the first-time manager program to develop confident coaches from strong individual contributors.
• Develop the early career pipeline to grow future talent.
• Help launch a mentorship program to accelerate employee development.
• Strengthen the assessment process to improve talent attraction, development, and retention.
• Analyze data behind talent decisions and present findings with clear recommendations to senior leadership.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Depth in research methods, including interview and survey design, qualitative data analysis (coding), and statistical analysis.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, capable of distinguishing scientifically sound methodology from superficial industry trends.
• Working proficiency in R or Python.
• Familiarity with SQL is a plus (or a strong willingness to learn it).
• Clear writing across research briefs, program plans, and company communications.
• Discretion with sensitive employee data.

Qualifications

• A PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, sociology, quantitative psychology, behavioral economics, or a related field.
• Evidence of putting theory into practice: published research or a dissertation with practical business implications, a program you designed and implemented, or an analysis that changed organizational operations.
• A preference for building programs yourself over handing findings off to others.
• Readiness to support People Ops leadership in advising senior leaders on data-supported insights and limitations.
• An affinity for personal finance and investing, and the appetite to become an expert in the industry.