Research Associate in Learning Maps & Operational Research

Position Overview

Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS), a research center at the University of Kansas (KU), is seeking a Research Associate to support research and development projects that focus on learning maps-based educational solutions. The Research Associate will support the development of cognitive learning map models that represent students’ knowledge, skills, and understandings in academics, lead the design, planning, and implementation of research studies aligned to the center’s strategic priorities, conduct qualitative data collection and analysis, disseminate research findings, contribute to proposals for externally funded projects, and present to external audiences. Additional responsibilities may include implementing collaborative project management tools within project teams to plan, execute, and monitor project plans and timelines in collaboration with other functional teams.

Critical to the role is the ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively with colleagues, and be responsive to project needs. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple tasks and projects with competing priorities and deadlines. May supervise staff.

ATLAS promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students, with a focus on students with disabilities and struggling learners. ATLAS creates technology-based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous. Dynamic research on skill development, assessment design, and teacher professional development informs the center’s map-based learning systems.

With a diverse portfolio of grant-funded research projects and operational alternate assessments, ATLAS is a leader in educational research and innovation. ATLAS drives progress through partnerships and collaborations with organizations that share its focus and commitment.

ATLAS is committed to creating policies and practices that foster a culture in which all employees feel they belong and can succeed.

Visit the ATLAS website to learn how the center improves the learning landscape for all students.

KU employees have great benefits!

• 176 hours of paid vacation per year
• 96 hours of sick leave per year
• 10 paid holidays
• Medical and dental insurance
• Retirement program
• Life and disability insurance
• Educational and professional development opportunities
  
  
  

Visit the KU benefits website for more information.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

KU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

30%: Support the designing, planning, and implementing of learning map-related projects. Activities may include:

• Representing formal learning structures in proprietary map-building software in response to program priorities.
• Collaborating with research, implementation, and content teams to coordinate internal and external reviews of learning maps.
• Reviewing internal and external panel feedback and adjusting maps in response to feedback and new research findings.
• Producing technical documentation for map development projects.
  
  
  

20%: Conduct research syntheses in K-12 education. Evaluate empirical literature, including summarizing, coding, and analyzing results, as well as preparing written reports.

20%: Lead the design, planning, and implementation of research studies and all deliverables. Lead research studies, including developing study design and instruments, securing IRB approval, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting results of qualitative and mixed methods research for a range of audiences.

15%: Collaborate across functional teams to develop high-quality, accessible, map-based educational materials to support the teaching and learning of all learners. Responsibilities include using K-12 education knowledge to help design, develop and/or review instructional guides and materials, professional development materials, and other documents supporting teaching and learning.

5%: Contribute to developing proposals for funded research projects and communicate with external audiences, including state departments of education and professional organizations. Present information related to research findings and learning maps to technical and non-technical audiences.

5%: Lead project coordination. Duties include collaborating with project teams and using collaborative project management tools to develop, execute and monitor project plans.

5%: Other duties/special projects.

Position Requirements

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), unclassified position.
• Depending on the center’s and team’s needs, well qualified candidates may be allowed a work location that is hybrid or remote.
• This position requires travel to Lawrence and/or other locations as needed, depending on the needs of the center and team.
• This position will require attendance at regularly scheduled meetings, onsite or through telecommunication platforms.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in education, educational leadership and policy, psychology, curriculum and instruction, or a closely related field, OR a Master’s degree and three (3) years of additional experience in the field/area of research.
• One (1) year of academic or professional experience conducting, documenting, and synthesizing research in education.
• Two (2) years of experience in instruction, research, or assessments that serve a wide range of learners.
• One (1) year of experience or training in developing learning maps or other types of formal learning models.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for scholarly and practitioner audiences, as evidenced by application materials.
• One (1) year of experience leading K-12 educational research studies.
• One (1) year of experience managing projects, studies, and/or published work products.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, as evidenced by application materials and work experience.
• Work experience that required the ability to work both independently and in teams as evidenced by application materials.
• Work experience that required the ability to adapt and to manage competing priorities under strict deadlines as evidenced by application materials.
  
  
  

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience with K-12 educational policies and landscape as evidenced by application materials.
• One (1) year of experience with learning maps and other types of cognitive models.
• One (1) year of experience developing grant proposals.
  
  
  

Additional Candidate Instructions

A complete application consists of:

• A cover letter that describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
• A Resume or CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
  
  
  

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin Monday, August 24th and continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Contact Information to Applicants

ATLASHR atlashr@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range

$67,000 minimum, commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins

Monday August 24, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Sunday October 25, 2026