Senior Research Scientist

Pearson is the world’s learning company, operating in nearly 200 countries around the world, with over 20,000 employees. We provide content, assessment and digital services to schools, colleges and universities, as well as professional and vocational education to learners to help increase their skills and lifelong employability prospects. We aim to support learners throughout their lifetime for every moment that matters – whether this is exam preparation and success, graduating from university, getting a new job, studying for a postgraduate degree, changing career, or looking for a new challenge.

From world-class assessment to virtual learning and beyond – we create the products and services that help tens of millions of people reach their goals each year. And we make sure our products fit with our key sustainability targets – to make learning accessible to everyone, to lead responsibly, and to give the next generation the skills they need to shape a better world.

Our vision is to have a direct relationship with millions of lifelong learners and to link education to the way people aspire to live and work every day. To do that, we will collaborate with a wide group of partners to help shape the future of learning. Our purpose is to help people make progress in their lives through learning.

We also believe we are at our best when we harness the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee.

The Senior 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 three years of relevant job experience, preferably with the complete range of psychometric issues that are faced with operational assessment programs or significant grant-funded research projects

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

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively apply, design, and train others in solutions utilizing psychometric techniques—including classical test theory, item response theory, test equating, scaling and linking, and standard setting—to new and unique operational testing settings
• OR has experience applying and designing techniques utilizing the scientist's specific area of expertise to new and unique settings
• Assists in budgeting, coordinating of resources, and training

Familiarity with Software Packages and Programming Languages:

• Applies packages and programming languages commonly used in psychometric work or measurement research (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, WINSTEPS, IRTPro, PARSCALE, C++, MPLUS) to new and unique settings faced in operational testing programs or research projects
• OR experience with software (Matlab, IDL, PERL, Java, Javascript, XML) associated with the scientist's specific area of expertise and ability to apply these packages to new and unique settings faced in operational testing programs or significant research projects

Scaling and Equating:

• Demonstrates skill with common scaling and equating designs to review and create technical documentation (including technical specifications)
• Conducts, guides, and designs analyses for item calibration, linking, and equating
• Designs, documents (including technical specifications), conducts AND/OR coordinates the efforts of others (including external verifiers), in item calibration, linking, and equating analyses

Grants, Research, and External Funding:

• Designs research studies and research analysis specifications
• Identifies study limitations, study parameters, and funding requirements to complete proposed research
• Coordinates study resources, completes study documentation, and conducts formal reports for written or oral presentation as contractually obligated

Test Construction/Field Testing:

• Organizes and coordinates with other research scientists, data analysts, subject-matter experts, and/or the client all aspects of test form design and construction and field test item preparation and review

Proposal Development:

• Coordinates technical designs for proposals and writes associated text
• Serves on proposal review teams as necessary
• Demonstrates familiarity with costing process

Knowledge of Educational Trends:

• Identifies implications of relevant national and state trends in education for operational assessment programs or research projects and clients
• Proposes measurement plans and provides client advice based on these implications as appropriate
• 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 in a leadership role with internal and external clients
• Communicates about and provides guidance on state and national educational issues
• Effectively tailors technical presentations to different audiences (e.g., client groups or technical advisory committees)
• Provides guidance for similar presentations made by other research scientists
• Makes presentations at national conferences
• Submits manuscripts for publication
• May serve as the primary contact for Psychometric and Research Services (PRS), (e.g., represents PRS in meetings and other communications), for internal and external clients for multiple testing programs or research projects, or for a single large and complex testing program or research project

Project and Talent Management:

• Demonstrates project management skills necessary to lead and direct all PRS-related aspects of multiple assessment programs or research projects, or a single large and complex assessment program or research project
• Understands roles of different departments and how these impact PRS deliverables, schedules, costing, and scope
• Exhibits management skills necessary to provide costs, staffing input, and strategic plan information for specific projects to upper management
• Supports hiring process through applicant interviewing
• Provides career plan information

Organizational Behavior:

• Aligns goals with department goals
• Provides advice for, creates, and documents new and existing processes

Working Location and Travel

• Willingness to travel as necessary

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.

Pearson believes that wherever learning flourishes, so do people. We are committed to being an anti-racist company in everything we do. We value the power of an inclusive culture and a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm, and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace where talent can learn, grow, and thrive.  

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, please click here:  http://www.pearson.com/careers/diversity-and-inclusion.html 

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other group protected by law.

Job: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL\_TIME

Req ID: 2265