Contract Robotics Researcher
Collaborative for Children
Houston, TX 77056
$800 a week
Description
Contractor position: Robotics Researcher
Location: Houston, Texas
Work Week: Monday – Friday
Number of Hours per week: 40
Duration of contract: approximately 8 weeks, starting end of June 2025
HYBRID contract position
Compensation: $800/week, paid bi-weekly when invoiced by contractor
About the Work
If you are passionate about robotics, education, and making a real-world impact, consider joining Collaborative as a contract Robotics Researcher and help shape the future of early childhood learning through innovation technology.
We’re looking for a curious, driven, and tech-savvy contractor to support our research into how robots can enhance early childhood (EC) education. You’ll explore the latest in educational robotics, evaluate software development vendors, and help design a plan to bring engaging, age-appropriate robotics into real classrooms.
What You’ll Do
- Research & Evaluate Vendors
- Identify and compare software development vendors that specialize in educational robotics.
- Analyze vendor capabilities, pricing, and alignment with our goals.
- Present findings and recommendations to the team.
- Explore Classroom Integration
- Investigate how robots are currently used in EC education.
- Analyze classroom needs and how robotics can support learning outcomes.
- Gather insights from educators, research, and case studies.
- Design a Implementation Plan
- Create a roadmap for integrating educational software with robotic tools.
- Ensure the plan supports EC learning goals and is practical for real-world classrooms.
- Collaborate with educators and developers to refine your ideas.
You Might Be a Great Fit If You:
- Are currently pursuing (finished junior undergraduate level) or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in: Robotics, Computer Science, Educational Technology, or Engineering.
- Possess strong attention to detail and enjoy testing and improving digital tools.
- Have completed collegiate coursework, or possess demonstrated skills, in the following:
- Educational Software Design
- Change Management
- IT Service Management (e.g., ITIL)
- Business Process Documentation
- Research Methods
- Technical Writing
- Are familiar with educational robotics platforms (e.g., KIBO, Bee-Bot, LEGO Education) – a plus!
- Have a passion for education and emerging technologies
- Communicate clearly and enjoy working in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
- Have strong research and analytical skills.
- Are excited about the intersection of technology and education.
- Possess an awareness of emerging AI technologies and their practical applications in early childhood business operations and data analysis.
- Have experience using or training others in AI-enhanced features of business systems is a plus.
- Have familiarity with generative AI-based productivity tools (e.g., CoPilot, ChatGPT, predictive analytics, dashboards) preferred.
- Bonus: Familiarity with educational robotics platforms like Bee-Bot, KIBO, or LEGO Education.
What You’ll Gain
- Real-world experience in educational technology and robotics.
- A chance to contribute to meaningful, child-centered innovation.
- Mentorship and collaboration with a passionate, interdisciplinary team.
- A portfolio-worthy project that bridges research, strategy, and impact.
We embrace diversity in backgrounds, talents, experiences, interests, and ideas. Attributes that resonate in our most successful talent include: passion for our mission, drive for results, high level of organization and detail orientation, resilience and authenticity.
When you work at Collaborative you can make a difference every day. All of our staff play critical roles in executing our mission.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY MAKES US STRONGER
Collaborative for Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a drug-free/smoke-free work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable state, local and federal civil rights laws.