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 design