Research Associate in Learning Maps

About the Role

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 focused on learning maps-based educational solutions. The Research Associate will support the development of cognitive learning map models representing students’ knowledge, skills, and understandings in academics, collaborate on the design and development of related formative assessment tools and instructional resources, contribute to proposals for externally funded projects, and communicate about the work with external audiences. Additional responsibilities may include implementing collaborative project management tools within project teams to plan, execute, and monitor project plans and timelines.

ATLAS promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students, with a focus on students with disabilities and struggling learners. The center creates technology-based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous, informed by dynamic research on skill development, assessment design, and teacher professional development.

Responsibilities

• 40%: 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.
• 30%: Conduct research syntheses in K-12 education. Evaluate empirical literature, including summarizing, coding, and analyzing results, as well as preparing written reports.
• 20%: Collaborate across functional teams to develop high-quality, accessible, map-based educational materials to support teaching and learning for all learners. Responsibilities may include using K-12 academic content knowledge to contribute to the design and development of formative assessment tools, instructional guides, professional development materials, and other documents supporting academic 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 learning maps to technical and non-technical audiences.
• 5%: Other duties/special projects.

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 hybrid or remote work location.
• This position requires travel to Lawrence and/or other locations as needed.
• Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings, onsite or through telecommunication platforms, is required.

Qualifications

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 using principles of universal design for learning.
• One (1) year of experience or training in developing learning maps or other types of formal learning models.
• Work experience that required the ability to use complex spreadsheets and databases.
• Work experience that required the ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for scholarly and practitioner audiences.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure candidates have the advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with universally designed instructional and assessment practices.
• One (1) year of experience with K-12 educational policies and landscape.
• One (1) year of experience developing learning map-based instructional resources.

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

Pay

$67,000 minimum, commensurate with experience.

KU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position. Due to 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 California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota.