Announcement

Details

Open Date
04/24/2026

Requisition Number
PRN44737B

Job Title
Research Associate

Working Title
Senior Research Associate-Literacy Research & Educational Measurement

Career Progression Track
A00

Track Level

FLSA Code
Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No

Standard Hours per Week
40

Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time

Shift
Day

Work Schedule Summary

VP Area
Academic Affairs

Department
01323 - Utah Education Policy Center

Location
Other

City
Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment
External Posting

Pay Rate Range
$70,000 - $130,000

Close Date
07/25/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

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.

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

Type
Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

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.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.