Scholar-in-Residence (Part-time)
Polygence
Polygence Overview
Polygence is a platform designed to help students master the art of critical thinking through experiential learning. We offer 1:1 mentored research, immersion experiences, and real-world project-based learning. With a network of over 3,000 expert mentors, our programs equip students with the skills most essential in the 21st century: how to think independently, regulate themselves, tackle complex problems, and be the kind of human no AI can replace.
Our team of educators, engineers, and designers is united by a student-centered philosophy. In a world shaped by social media, AI, global uncertainty, and climate anxiety, we aim to help students find purpose and clarity through critical, independent, and empathetic thinking.
Position Overview
Polygence is seeking its second annual Scholar-in-Residence for the 2025–2026 academic year. This individual will lead innovative thought leadership and research efforts that influence and inform key issues in education, including AI in the classroom, college preparedness, higher education, experiential learning, and EdTech.
The Scholar will shape and champion our annual theme, “The Art of Thinking,” through research, writing, public speaking, and other initiatives. Working closely with Polygence leadership, the Scholar will generate high-impact content across formats—white papers, blog posts, conference presentations, webinars, and more—engaging a wide audience including partners, parents, and students.
Ideal Candidate
A completed or in-progress doctorate in education or a related field.
Subject-matter expertise in areas such as education, AI in learning, curriculum design, youth and adult development, education policy, or higher education.
A strong personal brand and established presence in the education sector.
Charismatic, extroverted, and enthusiastic about building relationships and connecting with others.
A track record of visionary thinking paired with the ability to execute.
Excellent writing, research, public speaking, and communication skills.
Highly organized and self-directed, with a bias toward action and the ability to deliver on tight timelines in a fast-moving startup environment.
A collaborative spirit and excitement for working alongside a creative and mission-driven team.
Role Expectations
Serve as a key implementer of Polygence’s thought leadership plan and messaging.
Be a charismatic, engaging, inclusive face of Polygence during the Scholar’s tenure. Represent the organization in the role’s capacity with exceptional professionalism.
Proactively build relationships with Polygence’s team members, partners, parents, mentors, and students during your tenure.
Contribute to and expand upon thought leadership direction, themes, messaging, and content.
Collaborate with Polygence leadership to offer industry thought leadership to the market.
Serve as a positive, thoughtful, and visionary voice of thought leadership in the market under the brand of Polygence.
Be both an ideator AND a doer. Be willing to execute and implement the research direction of Polygence’s co-founders.
Role Responsibilities
Plan for, apply, coordinate, and design 2-3 conference presentations associated with the role.
Support the development of student and parent workshop content through learning design.
Represent Polygence at industry conferences.
Offer webinar for partners.
Work with Polygence co-founders to publish a research paper on the annual theme.
Work with Polygence leadership to publish two opinion articles or other types of thought leadership online (podcast, etc).
Work with Polygence co-founders to create and finalize two new slide decks that team members can use in future presentations.
Speak on behalf of Polygence at webinars and events when asked.
Logistics
Time Commitment: Average of 5-10 hours per week (varies seasonally).
Duration: September 15, 2025 – May 15, 2026
Compensation: $25,000, paid semi-monthly as a contract position.
Annual Theme: The Art of Thinking
About this year’s theme: Educators, policymakers, thought leaders, and parents today are all concerned about a pressing reality their children face: in a world where AI provides shortcuts to anything, social media dominates a child’s worldview, and the future brings so much uncertainty, how will students learn to think for themselves? Polygence believes that good educational programming can–and must–teach students how to think reflectively, independently, and critically. In the 2025-2026 school year, Polygence will launch The Thinking Lab, a free learning lab where Polygence students practice the art of original thinking and intellectual courage. Students will have the option to take part in monthly workshops designed to strengthen skills that help them become the kind of thinker AI can’t replace. Our Scholar-in-Residence will contribute curriculum and program design to support The Thinking Lab, and also lead our company-wide thought leadership and scholarship on this topic, supporting and engaging in dialogue with our network of parents, students, and educational partners.