RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Job Summary:

The Research and Development Associate (RDA) is responsible for providing analytical, research, and development support to project leads (e.g., Project Director, Digital Assessments Product Owner), the Director of Product (DP), and the Vice President and Chief Product Officer (CPO). The incumbent, operating with guidance/supervision, coordinates data collection, management, and analysis activities; coordinates expert/bias panels; monitors data activities for quality; prepares data files, spreadsheets, and reports; conducts statistical analyses; provides technical writing and editing; prepares mockups and contributes to slide decks related to product development; prepares requirements documents for digital products. The RDA is also expected to leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance research, data analysis, and product development workflows, applying them responsibly and accurately within the context of psychological assessment. In addition, they support the Product department by contributing to scholarly marketing.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Essential Functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

1.            Performs database design, management, quality control, and statistical analysis of data collected, providing follow-up on missing or incomplete data.

2.            Coordinates, tracks, and manages all aspects of the day-to-day project tasks as assigned, including managing hourly research support efforts toward various development projects. Regularly communicates project status to project lead, DP, and the CPO, and may recommend alternatives when problems are encountered.

3.            With overall supervision of the project lead, performs appropriate test development procedures such as reliability studies, validation studies, and statistical analyses (i.e., SPSS, Excel, and R) as required, as well as preparing requirement documents including reports, presentations, and requirements documents for digital products.

4.            Performs writing/editorial duties including editorial reviews, re-writes original written materials/manuals, original technical writing, content and APA editing, scholarly marketing content, bibliographies, training materials, and the provision of content guidance to PAR editors/writers. These duties are supervised by the project lead, who maintains overall responsibility for content and psychometric aspects of the product. Works with Production staff to design and edit test components.

5.            Working with project leads, coordinates all aspects of submitting test materials to expert and bias review panels for tests under development.

6.            Under supervision from project leads, responsible for managing online data collection including validity checks, tracking sample matrix, and creating final dataset for analyses. Finds efficient ways to support the process, through gathering required information to analyze, design and implement automation technology, when possible, for constant process improvement. Prepares research results for dissemination in products or for various internal and external audiences.

8.            Performs other similar or related duties as required or assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Technical skills
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Planning and scheduling
• Time management
• Organization
• Team player
• Demonstrates proficiency in leveraging artificial intelligence tools responsibly and effectively, adhering to organizational AI governance policies and guidelines while actively applying AI-assisted capabilities to enhance productivity, decision quality, and work outcomes.

Education and Experience:

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology (or related field) with experience/training in statistical methods. Ability to use word-processing, spreadsheet, and database packages. Working knowledge of SPSS. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, demonstrative initiative, working knowledge of APA publication guidelines, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work with minimum guidance and supervision. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Carrying small to medium-sized packages between buildings.