Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist; Clinical

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data.

For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.

Clinical Assessments has a long-standing reputation for gold-standard assessment solutions spanning cognition, memory, neuropsychology, behavior, occupational therapy, speech and language, early childhood, personality and academic achievement.

We are seeking an innovative Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist (Clinical) to lead research across portfolio domains, including academic achievement, speech and language, cognition, and/or early childhood assessment. The ideal candidate will combine expertise in academic or applied research with clinical experience administering, interpreting, or working directly with standardized assessments within speech-language pathology, literacy, academic achievement, and/or early childhood.

This individual will provide subject-matter expertise and research leadership, translating business strategy into clear research and product priorities. They will model positive leadership behaviors, foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, and bring a strong digital mindset, including the ability to apply AI and emerging technologies to advance research, product development, and innovation.

This position will report to the Lead Learning Scientist and can be remote or based in our San Antonio, TX, or Bloomington, MN offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES The Learning Scientist (Research Director) provides scientific, clinical, and research leadership throughout the development and ongoing evolution of assessment products. Working across Content, Product, Psychometrics, Design, Editorial, and Digital Development, this role helps translate scientific evidence, clinical needs, customer needs, and business strategy into innovative, high-quality assessment solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and lead research plans supporting new product development, product revisions, and portfolio priorities.
• Provide subject-matter expertise and scientific leadership in speech-language pathology, literacy, achievement, and/or early childhood assessment.
• Help define product scope and assessment design , ensuring solutions are scientifically sound, clinically meaningful, and aligned with customer and business needs.
• Lead and contribute to item development, review, and evaluation , applying research, clinical expertise, and assessment-development best practices.
• Partner with psychometricians and research colleagues to review and interpret data and psychometric findings
• Identify opportunities to responsibly apply AI and emerging technologies to assessment development, research practices, workflows, and product innovation.
• Provide oversight of assessment materials , including digital interfaces, record forms, stimulus materials, manuals, administration and scoring resources, and visual and auditory stimuli.
• Support product commercialization and adoption by contributing scientific and clinical expertise to training, product support resources, presentations, and other customer-facing materials.
• Represent Pearson and contribute to its scientific leadership through conference presentations, technical papers, research publications, and other scholarly activities.
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