Lead Learning Experience Designer

About the role

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