Research Scientist

The Research Scientist position described here is part of the Pearson Psychometric and Research Services group, which is part of the US School Assessment group and larger Assessment and Qualifications team. Pearson research scientists provide the full range of psychometric support to state and national customers, develop innovative techniques and processes, and conduct cutting-edge research studies.

The education, experience, and responsibilities associated with this position include:

Education and Work Experience

• Doctoral degree in educational measurement or a related field from a nationally recognized institution of higher education
• AND at least one year of relevant job experience, preferably with a testing program that has gone through a complete operational cycle OR at least one year of relevant job experience on a significant grant-funded research project

Familiarity with Psychometric Techniques or Techniques Associated with Other Relevant Areas of Expertise

• Has experience with applied psychometric techniques in a job setting—including classical test theory, item response theory, test equating, scaling, linking, and standard setting
• OR experience with applied techniques associated with the scientist’s specific area of expertise

Familiarity with Software Packages and Programming Languages

• Has experience with software packages and programming languages commonly used in psychometric work or measurement research (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, WINSTEPS, IRTPro, PARSCALE, C++, MPLUS)
• OR experience with software (Matlab, IDL, PERL, Java, Javascript, XML) associated with the scientist’s specific area of expertise

Scaling and Equating

• Shows sufficient familiarity with common scaling and equating designs to review and draft technical documentation, (including technical specifications)
• Conducts and guides analyses for item calibration, linking, and equating
• Designs, documents, (including technical specifications), and conducts analyses for item calibration, linking, and equating

Grants, Research, and External Funding

• Develops study design and research analysis specifications for proposed research studies
• Identifies study limitations and study parameters to optimize analyses and design in grants/applications for external funding and in research publications

Test Construction/Field Testing

• Works closely with other research scientists, data analysts, subject-matter experts, and/or clients/customers in the construction of test forms and the preparation of items for various testing purposes

Proposal Development

• Contributes to technical designs of proposals
• Writes associated text under guidance from more senior research scientists

Knowledge of Educational Trends

• Articulates and uses knowledge of national and state trends in education in assigned operational assessment programs or research projects
• Upholds the principles defined by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing

Communication Skills, Technical Presentations, and Client Contact

• Demonstrates communication skills, (oral, written, and business), necessary to function effectively as a primary contact with internal project teams and external clients with guidance from more senior research scientists
• Communicates about general state and national educational issues
• Presents technical information to different audiences, (e.g., client groups or technical advisory committees), with guidance from more senior research scientists
• Presents at national conferences
• Serves as the primary contact for Pearson Psychometric and Research Services, (PRS), (e.g., represents group in meetings and in other communications) for internal and external clients for a small-to-medium operational testing program or research project, or for a portion of a large and complex testing program or research project

Project and Talent Management

• Demonstrates project management skills necessary to lead all PRS-related aspects of a small-to-medium operational assessment program or research project, or a portion of a large and complex assessment program or research project
• Supports hiring process through applicant interviewing
• Provides career plan consultation and advice

Organizational Behavior

• Aligns goals with published department goals
• Follows existing processes and documents processes when necessary

Working Location and Travel

• Willingness to travel as necessary

Compensation at Pearson is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific location. As required by the Colorado, California, Washington State, New York State and New York City laws, the pay range for this position is as follows:

The minimum full-time salary range is between $115,000 – $140,000

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