Optimal Solutions Group seeks a research associate for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Assessment Division Support contract for the National Center for Education Statistics, to provide technical and analytic support related to the NAEP. The candidate should have broad knowledge of the psychometric and operations components and nuances of the NAEP, as well as expertise related to educational measurement, assessment, and quantitative research, as well as NAEP reporting experience.
The research associate will join Optimal’s Education Research Center (ERC), which currently conducts a broad range of projects addressing key issues in education policy and practice. The candidate will be based at Optimal’s College Park office.
Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in psychology, education, economics, public policy, or a related field
• Working knowledge of and experience in providing services under the Government's statutory and regulatory requirements regarding complex contracts
• Experience in the area of assessment, research, and/or development
• Experience working with large-scale data sets, quality control, and writing policy-related briefs
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work well in teams
• Experience working with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) preferred
Responsibilities:
• Design and monitor research projects involving advanced statistical, modeling, and analysis techniques
• Represent the company's expertise in specialized research or policy arenas through technical communications, testimony, publications, and conferences, reaching beyond the contracting agencies