The Buros Center operates as an independent, non-profit organization within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Center is housed in the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Sciences. The Center’s strong tradition of integrity coupled with its progressive vision has made it a premier research and resource center for testing that continues to influence the use and understanding of measurements. The work of the Center serves to enhance the quality of tests and to provide evaluation services and research leadership essential to improving the science and practice of testing and assessment.
The Buros Center is seeking candidates with a doctorate in Psychometrics, Measurement, Educational or Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, or a related field with a focus on improving the science and use of assessments, data interpretation, data analysis, and data modeling. The successful candidate will have the ability to work effectively independently and as a team member, balance multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Responsibilities include working independently and collaboratively on grants and contracts funded by the state department of education, industry, or the federal government. This work would include leading and participating in a complete cycle of identifying, initiating, writing, securing, planning, and administering grant activities, working with clients on continuing multi-year projects, conducting ongoing research related to contract/grant activities, designing and conducting workshops on measurement topics, making presentations to clients and at regional and national conferences, publication of scholarly research, and assisting in supervising and mentoring graduate students. The successful candidate will also have the following preferred training and/or experience:
- Design and analysis of applied research in educational or psychological measurement.
- Knowledge/dexterity in applying advanced psychometric techniques (e.g., job analysis, scaling, equating, reliability, alignment study, and standard setting).
- Ease in using statistics/measurement software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, FlexMIRT).
- Providing evidence-based recommendations to clients in education (e.g., state departments of education) or industry (e.g., licensing, and certification bodies).
- Grant writing and/or the potential to secure external funding both independently (initiating contract/grant writing proposals) and collaboratively (supporting team members in contract/grant writing).
For more information on Buros Center for Testing, please check this website: https://buros.org.
Minimum Qualifications
- Doctorate in Psychometrics, Measurement, Educational or Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, or a related field.
- Experience initiating, managing, and/or supervising grant activities primarily in educational or psychological testing, measurement, or licensure and certification testing.
- Effective organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively independently and as a team member, manage and/or coordinate projects, balance multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Measurement, validity, reliability, program accreditation, high stakes testing programs, formative assessment.
- Advanced psychometrics and use of models/approaches (e.g., item response theory, job analysis, scaling, equating, standard-setting studies, aligning tests with content standards).
- Ability to secure external funding both independently (initiating contract/grant writing proposals) and collaboratively (supporting team members in contract/grant writing.
- Design and analysis of applied research in education or psychology.
- Using statistics/measurement software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or FlexMIRT)
- Improving the science and use of assessments, data interpretation, data analysis, and data modeling.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations to clients in education (e.g., state departments of education) or industry (e.g., licensing, and certification bodies).
- Working with various stakeholders (e.g., clients, faculty, students) in schools and other educational institutions at the local, school and/or federal level.
Review of applications will begin March 15, 2022 and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.
How to Apply
To view details of the position and make application, go to https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_220017. Complete the information form and attach the following documents:
- Letter of application with brief narrative addressing qualifications for the position.
- Curriculum vita.
- Contact information for three professional references.
- A statement of the value you place on diversity, your commitments to equity and inclusion, and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters.
- Copies of up to three (3) examples of scholarship, e.g., peer-reviewed articles, chapters).
- Copy of official transcripts.
The statement, scholarship examples and transcripts (items 4, 5 and 6) will need to be combined into one document.
For more information on this position contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Maria Oliveri moliveri2@unl.edu or 402-472-1414.
As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.