Research Associate

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.

About the Utah Education Policy Center: The mission of the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) is to bridge research, policy, and practice by conducting rigorous research, performing comprehensive program evaluations, and providing expert and research-informed technical assistance and professional learning. We empower educators, policymakers, and leaders to make research actionable and impactful to transform education across early childhood education, K-12 schools, and higher education.

As part of the University of Utah, we offer competitive benefits and access to resources. See https://benefits.utah.edu.

The University of Utah is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have a Doctoral degree in education, literacy, educational psychology, educational measurement, special education and/or a closely related field?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have professional or research experience related to early literacy, the science of reading, dyslexia, or literacy-related assessment and screening?

• Yes - this is my primary area of expertise

• Yes - I have relevant experience, though it is not my primary focus

• No

• • Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B status)?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Example of Research 1
• Example of Research 2
• List of References

Optional Documents