Pearson Education - Juneau, AK
posted 3 months ago
The Senior Research Scientist position is a critical role within the Pearson Psychometric and Research Services group, which operates under the US School Assessment group and the larger Assessment and Qualifications team. This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about educational measurement and psychometrics, providing a comprehensive range of psychometric support to state and national customers. The role involves developing innovative techniques and processes, as well as conducting cutting-edge research studies that contribute to the advancement of educational assessments. Candidates for this position are expected to hold a doctoral degree in educational measurement or a related field from a nationally recognized institution, along with a minimum of three years of relevant job experience. This experience should ideally encompass a broad spectrum of psychometric issues encountered in operational assessment programs or significant grant-funded research projects. The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in applying, designing, and training others in psychometric techniques, including classical test theory, item response theory, test equating, scaling and linking, and standard setting, tailored to unique operational testing settings. In addition to technical expertise, the Senior Research Scientist will be responsible for budgeting, coordinating resources, and training team members. Familiarity with software packages and programming languages commonly used in psychometric work, such as SAS, R, SPSS, and others, is essential. The role also requires skills in scaling and equating, where the candidate will review and create technical documentation, conduct analyses for item calibration, linking, and equating, and coordinate efforts with external verifiers. The position involves designing research studies, identifying study limitations, and coordinating study resources to ensure successful completion of research projects. The Senior Research Scientist will also play a key role in test construction and field testing, collaborating with other research scientists and subject-matter experts to ensure the quality and effectiveness of assessment tools. Effective communication skills are paramount, as the role requires presenting findings at national conferences, submitting manuscripts for publication, and serving as the primary contact for Psychometric and Research Services. The candidate will need to demonstrate project management skills to lead multiple assessment programs or research projects, aligning departmental goals with organizational objectives. The position also entails a willingness to travel as necessary to fulfill job responsibilities.