Research Scientist

edmentum is now hiring Research Scientist in Minneapolis, MN. View job listing details and apply now.

Edmentum is the leading provider of K-12 digital curriculum, assessments, and services to 43,000 schools in all 50 states and over 100 countries worldwide. We partner with educators to create instructional technology that is proven, easy-to-use, individualized, and aligned to state standards. Built on a 60-year history of innovation and impact, we believe that when educators succeed, students thrive, everywhere learning occurs.

SUMMARY:


At Edmentum, we are committed to building research-based curriculum and assessment solutions that empower educators and improve student outcomes across the globe. The Edmentum Research and Learning Engineering Team is central to fulfilling our commitment to our national and international educators and learners. The Research Scientists on the Edmentum Research and Learning Engineering Team will have the opportunity to design, innovate, and conduct rigorous research in instruction, learning, and measurement.






Each Research Scientist on our team must be curious, collaborative, and have a passion to develop and conduct best-in-class research to provide evidence of valid, useful educational solutions that truly meet the needs of learners and educators.






The Research Scientist will contribute to evidenced-based research studies; collaborate with external researchers; and support documentation and presentations to our external Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The candidate must be able to translate complex psychometric topics into clear information that can be understood by clients and internal staff. Communication of technical and practical research information will be provided in both verbal and written forms, including through research briefs, technical documents, research papers, and presentations. Through these and other modes of research dissemination, the Research Scientist will contribute to progress in the field of educational research, deepening understanding of impacts and outcomes to internal staff, clients, and the larger education and research community. The Research Scientist will contribute to the selection and management of the third-party vendors and university researchers that support Edmentum's research agenda. At various phases of study development and dissemination, the Research Scientist will collaborate with cross-functional teams including learning design, learning engineering, efficacy, product management, professional services, and marketing.






The Research Scientist will have advanced knowledge of valid educational assessment design and psychometric methodologies, including item development and review practices, scaling, equating, and norming. The preferred candidate will have deep knowledge of a range measurement topics, approaches, and models, including principled assessment design, Item Response Theory (IRT), Cognitive Diagnostic Modeling (CDM), adaptive testing (e.g., multistage, CAT), and automated test assembly/LOFT. The Research Scientist will stay abreast of methodological advances in educational and psychometric research, looking for creative new ways to solve important measurement problems at Edmentum.






ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Conduct and manage psychometric studies that will ensure Edmentum provides industry-leading, research-based solutions to improve student outcomes.

• Implement research specifications accurately and on time;

• Document and communicate findings from research studies

• Be able to clearly articulate methods and research results to TAC members, internal sales and services consultants, and customers; and in support of proposal responses and external presentations.

• Leverage statistical software like R, Python, SAS, or Stata to conduct analyses, run simulations, and automate research tasks

• Participate in thought leadership and research dissemination activities like conference presentations, journal publications, and white papers.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:



EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• PhD in Psychometrics, Research and Measurement, Quantitative Psychology, or similar field.

• 1+ years of increasing and independent experience in conducting psychometric research.

• Ability to program analyses in programs such as R, SAS, and/or Python on large data sets. R and/or Python preferred.

• Experience with psychometric research and validity studies (e.g., parameter estimation, vertical and horizontal scaling, equating, norming, test construction, growth models, technical reporting).

• Knowledge of modern measurement models such as IRT, CDM, automated test assembly, LOFT, CAT, and/or multi-stage adaptive testing.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong analytical skills, independent, organized, and demonstrated strong verbal and written communication.

• Highly collaborative individual who can work well with others across projects and teams.

• Knowledge of educational programs, instructional approaches, and/or testing industry.

Edmentum is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for our employees, vendors, and guests. Our organization will comply with all COVID-19 vaccination requirements at a site or facility that requires all employees and contractors who will be performing services. The CDC defines fully vaccinated as being two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 Vaccine or two weeks after the single dose of a one-dose vaccine.

Edmentum is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Edmentum's notice regarding the collection of personal information from interested candidates is available here