Position Title:Assessment Research Scientist III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications: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.
Job Description:
Summary
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
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS810
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please Note: To receive full consideration, applications should be received by March 10th, 2026.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:- 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
Original Posting Date: February 24, 2026
Posting Close Date:March 19, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R18666
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university’s Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.