Assessment Research Scientist III

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Are you passionate about improving education through thoughtful assessment, meaningful data interpretation, and clear communication? The Research Scientist III plays a key role within the Office of Curricular Assessment and Teaching Support (OCATS), focusing on instrument design, data collection and analysis, reporting and publication, and programmatic assessment leadership. We are looking for someone who enjoys designing high‑quality assessment tools, managing data systems, safeguarding data integrity, and partnering with faculty and stakeholders to enhance student learning, clinical competency, and program effectiveness across the College of Veterinary Medicine. Ideal Candidate: You enjoy turning complex information into clear, actionable insights. You are comfortable analyzing assessment results, explaining what they mean, and advising faculty on next steps. You design effective instruments, including performance‑based assessments, maintain reliable data systems with strong integrity, and communicate in ways that help others quickly understand what the data is saying. In this role, you will: • Design, refine, and implement assessment instruments including surveys, performance‑based assessments, OSCE stations, and case simulations to support course‑, program‑, and curriculum‑level needs. • Administer and coordinate assessment processes by gathering information through surveys, interviews, focus groups, performance assessments, and course or rotation evaluations. • Manage data systems and maintain strong data integrity practices so that information is accurate, well‑organized, securely maintained, and ready for use in curriculum review and decision-making. • Conduct Advanced statistical analyses to identify key patterns, trends, and areas for improvement, and translate these findings into insights that support faculty, administrators, and college leadership. • Prepare and communicate assessment findings through clear summaries, reports, and visualizations that help stakeholders understand program strengths and opportunities for refinement. • Support programmatic assessment activities across academic and clinical learning and maintain documentation that contributes to accreditation and curriculum review processes. • Collaborate with faculty, clinical instructors, students, alumni, employers, and external partners to gather input, provide guidance, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Additional Job Details: • Full‑time, in person role • Location: Ames Iowa • Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM The Office of Curricular Assessment and Teaching Success (OCATS) supports the College of Veterinary Medicine by developing high‑quality assessment instruments, maintaining dependable data systems, interpreting information that informs decision‑making, and supporting evidence‑based curriculum improvement. OCATS collaborates with faculty, clinical instructors, students, alumni, employers, and national organizations to ensure graduates are fully prepared for entry into the veterinary profession. The office values collaboration, innovation, data stewardship, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning. Example of Duties • Develops, designs and conducts one or more complex research projects of high complexity, reviews progress and evaluates results. • Formulates research methods and suggests options for improving quality, identifies potential problems, recommends and implements solutions, and collaborates in the development of new techniques. • Acts as a co-author and may act as a principal investigator. • Recommends program direction. • Trains users in equipment operation and laboratory techniques, explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations and outcomes. • Coordinates data collection and screening and verifies the data. • Conducts analysis of data, interprets and implements research methodology based on outcome of analysis. • May supervise a small work group. Level Guidelines • Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals • Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude • Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action • Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices • Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff • May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team) • May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist • Provides guidance to students

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in psychology, educational measurement or related field.
• Experience designing and validating assessment instruments such as surveys and performance-based assessments
• Experience conducting advanced statistical analyses and managing complex datasets using software such as SPSS, R, SAS, or similar programs.
• Experience producing written scholarly or technical outputs such as publications, reports, or grant materials.
• Experience collaborating with faculty or academic programs on research design, assessment, or program evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Design, refine, and implement assessment instruments including surveys, performance‑based assessments, OSCE stations, and case simulations to support course‑, program‑, and curriculum‑level needs.
• Administer and coordinate assessment processes by gathering information through surveys, interviews, focus groups, performance assessments, and course or rotation evaluations.
• Manage data systems and maintain strong data integrity practices so that information is accurate, well‑organized, securely maintained, and ready for use in curriculum review and decision-making.
• Conduct Advanced statistical analyses to identify key patterns, trends, and areas for improvement, and translate these findings into insights that support faculty, administrators, and college leadership.
• Prepare and communicate assessment findings through clear summaries, reports, and visualizations that help stakeholders understand program strengths and opportunities for refinement.
• Support programmatic assessment activities across academic and clinical learning and maintain documentation that contributes to accreditation and curriculum review processes.
• Collaborate with faculty, clinical instructors, students, alumni, employers, and external partners to gather input, provide guidance, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develops, designs and conducts one or more complex research projects of high complexity, reviews progress and evaluates results.
• Formulates research methods and suggests options for improving quality, identifies potential problems, recommends and implements solutions, and collaborates in the development of new techniques.
• Acts as a co-author and may act as a principal investigator.
• Recommends program direction.
• Trains users in equipment operation and laboratory techniques, explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations and outcomes.
• Coordinates data collection and screening and verifies the data.
• Conducts analysis of data, interprets and implements research methodology based on outcome of analysis.
• May supervise a small work group.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level