Assistant Professor of Measurement and Quantitative Methods

Assistant Professor of Measurement and Quantitative Methods

Michigan State University College of Education

East Lansing, MI, USA

 

The Measurement and Quantitative Methods (MQM) program within the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education (https://education.msu.edu/cepse) seeks a 9-month, tenure-track assistant professor. The candidate will have a Ph.D. in psychometrics and will have a strong record of scholarship in some or all of the following areas: item response theory, latent class modeling, computer adaptive testing, equating, and/or related areas.

 

Applicants should also have experience with an interest in engaging in broader conversations that focus on the ways measurement can and should inform and be informed by practice and policy. Preference will be given to those whose scholarship also includes areas of statistics such as advanced latent variable modeling (e.g., structural equation models, latent variable clustering methods). The department is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and a demonstrated commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students.

 

The position will support our program’s goal to better prepare and train MQM students in areas related to psychometrics as well as to provide support for doctoral students across the College of Education. The position will also have the opportunity to provide quantitative measurement training to students across the university as MQM courses enroll students from a variety of colleges and departments. The applicant will also contribute to the college’s Education Policy program (https://education.msu.edu/ed-policy-phd), bringing to bear their background in policy related to measurement issues.

 

Our nationally recognized program is home to six faculty members and approximately 15 doctoral students pursuing a wide range of methodological studies in statistics and psychometrics as well as the application of such advanced methodology to important policy-related issues. The Measurement and Quantitative faculty includes two University Distinguished Professors, three members of the National Academy of Education, a named chair, and an International Academy of Education Fellow. The faculty are also prominently recognized for their national and international research including extensive involvement with TIMSS and PISA. They are excited to support an early career colleague to be a highly successful measurement scholar and teacher.

 

The MQM program is housed in MSU’s acclaimed Educational Psychology program, which was ranked by U.S. News & World Report at #6 in the nation in 2023. Situated in an institution committed to access and outreach, MQM faculty and students are deeply committed to addressing local, state, national, and international policy issues, especially those related to the measurement of student attainment, such as NAEP and state assessments. Building on our collective strengths, we seek to add a new and unique voice to our program.

 

NOTE: The university is requiring all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more: https://msu.edu/together-we-will

 

This is an annual position with a desired start date of August 15, 2023. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled.

 

Minimum qualifications

• Earned doctorate prior to state date in psychometrics or measurement theory Record of accomplishments consistent with appointment as an assistant professor at a research-intensive institution Record of or potential for an outstanding scholarly publication record Ability to mentor doctoral students in the application of psychometrics and measurement theory to practice and policy, specifically in collaboration with external stakeholders Ability to teach graduate-level courses in measurement theory generally and more specifically in psychometrics Research agenda that promotes equitable educational opportunities for all students, especially those historically marginalized by institutions of education and by policy

 

Desired qualifications

• Experience working with the application of measurement theory to student-based testing Strong background in statistical methods Record of or potential for grant-supported research Experience working with measurement-related policy

 

 

About the MSU College of Education

In the highly ranked College of Education, our community of scholars is committed to improving practice through the land-grant mission of Michigan State University. We conduct research that makes an impact on education, health, and well-being around the world. We welcome colleagues who demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching, collaborate across fields of study, and strive to enact equity and inclusion in their work. Please see our website, education.msu.edu/jobs, for more information about working in the college and a full list of open positions.

 

Instructions to applicants

Online application via careers.msu.edu is required, see posting #814638. Interested candidates must include a letter of application; curriculum vitae; an empirical writing sample or journal article that is relevant to the position as outlined in the call; names and contact information of three references.

 

If you have any questions, please contact any of the search committee members:

• William H. Schmidt (bschmidt@msu.edu), Chair, University Distinguished Professor, and by courtesy, statistics Joe Krajcik (krajcik@msu.edu), Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education, University Distinguished Professor Tenko Raykov (raykov@msu.edu), Professor of Measurement and Quantitative Methods Barbara Schneider (bschneid@msu.edu), John A. Hannah University Distinguished Professor Katharine A. Strunk (kstrunk@msu.edu), Clifford E. Erickson Distinguished Professor of Education Policy and, by courtesy, Economics

 

Department web address

education.msu.edu/cepse

 

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 165 years. One of the world's leading research universities, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery to make a better, safer, healthier world for all while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

 

Land acknowledgement

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg—Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.