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
Applications will be accepted through 7/2/25. This window may be extended depending on business needs.
1158774
Job: Research, Efficacy, and Psychometrics
Job Family: LEARNING_&_CONTENT_DEVELOPMENT
Organization: Assessment & Qualifications
Schedule: FULL_TIME
Req ID: 20182
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