Description
Senior Research Associate-Literacy Research & Educational Measurement
Job Summary
The UEPC seeks a full-time Senior Research Associate with expertise in literacy, science of reading, and educational measurement to join our research and evaluation team. This position will strengthen the Center's growing portfolio of literacy-focused research and evaluation work, including projects related to early reading, dyslexia screening and intervention, and educator professional learning. The Senior Research Associate will lead and contribute to projects (e.g., instrument development, intervention evaluations, professional learning design, and policy-relevant research) that directly inform how schools identify and support students in their academic learning.
About the Utah Education Policy Center: The mission of the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) is to bridge research, policy, and practice by conducting rigorous research, performing comprehensive program evaluations, and providing expert and research-informed technical assistance and professional learning. We empower educators, policymakers, and leaders to make research actionable and impactful to transform education across early childhood education, K-12 schools, and higher education.
As part of the University of Utah, we offer competitive benefits and access to resources. See https://benefits.utah.edu.
The University of Utah is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a lead team member to coordinate and carry out research and/or evaluations in literacy.
- Lead or co-lead the design, development, piloting, and psychometric validation of educational screening and assessment tools.
- Design and implement rigorous research and evaluation on educational programs, including by conducting literature reviews and developing data collection (e.g., survey instruments, observation protocols, focus group protocols, and interview protocols), analysis, and reporting/communication plans.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with UEPC external partners (e.g., state agencies, local education agencies), practitioners, and university faculty.
- Facilitate working groups and serve as a project point of contact for key partners.
- Prepare research and evaluation reports, interim and annual summaries, and presentations in user-friendly, accessible formats that meet clients' needs, as well as other scholarly publications.
- Contribute to the design of sustainable professional learning in literacy.
- Work collaboratively with others, meet project deadlines, and manage competing priorities.
- Lead grant writing efforts and/or scopes of work for proposed literacy projects.
Minimum Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in education, literacy, educational psychology, educational measurement, special education and/or a closely related field.
- Five years of full-time experience leading and conducting program evaluations or research projects, with increasing independence and responsibility in projects.
- Demonstrated expertise in science of reading, literacy development, and/or dyslexia.
- Training in psychometrics, educational measurement, or test development (item writing, reliability/validity analysis, classical test theory and/or item response theory).
- Track record of producing high-quality written deliverables (e.g., technical reports, research briefs, or peer-reviewed publications).
- Excellent critical thinking, analytic, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to complete tasks for multiple, concurrent projects accurately and on time.
- Understanding of local, regional, and/or national issues and policies affecting PK-16+ education.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication across research, practice, and policy audiences.
Preferences
- 5 or more years of experience in conducting and reporting evaluation and research
- Experience with mixed methods research, implementation evaluation, or longitudinal data analysis
- Experience with quantitative data analysis (R, Stata, or equivalent)
- Experience developing or validating educational assessments or screening tools
- Knowledge of MTSS/RTI frameworks and early literacy intervention
- Familiarity with structured literacy and evidence-based reading instruction
- Experience with state education agencies or school districts
- Knowledge of International Dyslexia Association Knowledge and Practice Standards
- Experience working in K12, higher education, or an organization that works with K12 or higher education organizations
- Experience applying for research and evaluation grants
- Familiarity with FERPA and student data privacy requirements
Special Instructions
Please include in application materials:
- A detailed cover letter that describes your interest and relevant experience and expertise for this position.
- A current curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two research or evaluation products that represent your individual contributions in a lead or primary role. At least one sample should demonstrate technical or methodological rigor (e.g., a psychometric report, validation study, evaluation with quantitative findings, or technical documentation). Suitable formats include reports, technical manuals, research briefs, peer-reviewed manuscripts, or presentation materials. For each sample, include a brief note (2-3 sentences) describing your specific role and contributions, particularly if the work was collaborative.
- Contact information for three professional references who can speak to your research skills, project leadership, and ability to work across institutional boundaries. References will not be contacted prior to final consideration for the position. At least one reference should be someone who has directly supervised you on a research or evaluation project. If possible, include at least one reference from outside your home institution or organization.
Requisition Number: PRN44737B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 01323 - Utah Education Policy Center
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $70,000 - $130,000
Close Date: 7/25/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/200769
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