Research Specialist at The Ohio State University

Research Specialist at The Ohio State University

Job Type
Full-time
Posting Date
November 7, 2017
Location of Position

Columbus, OH

Company Summary

For 144 years, The Ohio State University's campus in Columbus has been the stage for academic achievement and a laboratory for innovation. It's where friendships are forged. It's where rivalries and revelry are born.

The university's main campus is one of America's largest and most comprehensive. As Ohio's best and one of the nation's top-20 public universities, Ohio State is further recognized by a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center. As a land-grant university, Ohio State has a physical presence throughout the state, with campuses and research centers located around Ohio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Specialist implements varying scopes of work for workforce development projects involving testing for state, national, and international projects across multiple delivery systems for career-technical and adult basic education. The position works on psychometric tasks involved in testing projects and is responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of the supervision for our test construction cycle. This includes recruiting and scheduling subject matter experts (SMEs), conducting job-task analyses and verifications, creating test specifications, writing-reviewing test items, analyzing test-taker data for revision and maintenance of test item banks, and preparing technical manuals.

Another aspect of the Research Specialist’s work involves collaboration with the Director of Assessment Services to manage CETE Assessment Services projects. This includes the coordination and preparation for internal and external meetings, organizing materials and developing processes for facilitated group item writing, validation, and standard setting. The position also maintains project management documents and records for sponsors and clients that are consistent with deliverables.

Additionally, the incumbent spends time exploring and developing opportunities consistent with EHE-CETE’s strategic goals. The position leads grant-contract proposal development, writes articles for Center dissemination channels and attends College, center-, and team-related meetings. As a representative of CETE, the Research Assistant supports communication and marketing activities for the center and seeks collaboration with EHE units to reach strategic goals and demonstrate connectivity.

Position Requirements

Master's degree in an appropriate field, extensive experience in a professional area (research, development, evaluation, instrumentation), considerable experience in a R & D setting (i.e., planning and conducting R & D projects/programs in terms of technical and managerial functions), experience in state-of-the-art development in area of specialization or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A doctoral degree is preferred.

Required Experience

The selected candidate for this position will have demonstrated success in several areas, including:

  • Knowledge and understanding of workforce development issues and practices
  • Well-developed, working knowledge in test development for education and/or personnel credentialing
  • Experience in project management, planning and administration
  • Demonstrated experience creating, modifying, delivering presentations
  • Experience with group facilitation
  • Experience in data analysis including descriptive statistics and qualitative summaries
  • Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and in graphics-presentation software
  • Skill in test data analysis for classical test theory and item response theory (SPSS, SAS, Lertap, jMetrik, Iteman)

Highly desirable candidates will also have demonstrated success in the following areas:

  • Graduate degree in Psychology, Education, or Quantitative Methodology
  • Possess a PMP or CAPM credential
  • Experience in technical documentation and report writing
  • Microsoft Access and/or SQL experience
  • Well-developed verbal and digital communication skills
Apply Here

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.