Lead Learning Scientist, Clinical Assessments

Pearson; Jefferson City (MO); Remote; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist (Clinical) to steer research across portfolio domains including academic achievement, speech and language, cognition, and early childhood assessment. The ideal candidate blends a PhD with clinical insight and translates science into product priorities.

The role collaborates across Content, Product, Psychometrics, and Digital Development, with opportunities to apply AI and emerging tech to advance research and innovation.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Early Childhood Development, School or Clinical Psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years professional experience in speech and language, literacy, academic achievement, school or clinical psychology, and/or early childhood.
• Clinical experience administering, interpreting, or working directly with standardized assessments, with a strong understanding of their use in real-world clinical or educational settings.
• Strong knowledge of test development, measurement principles, research methodology, data analysis, and psychometric principles, with the ability to apply these concepts to research and product decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate scientific and clinical evidence into strategic recommendations that balance scientific rigor, customer needs, product priorities, and business objectives.
• Strong digital fluency and curiosity, including the ability to evaluate and appropriately apply AI and emerging technologies to research, assessment development, and evolving ways of working.
• A record of professional or scholarly contribution through activities such as conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, technical papers, professional training, or related work.

Responsibilities

• 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 and clinically meaningful.
• Lead and contribute to item development, review, and evaluation, applying research and best practices.
• Partner with psychometricians to review data and findings; identify opportunities to apply AI and emerging technologies.
• Provide oversight of assessment materials, including digital interfaces, manuals, and stimuli.
• Support product commercialization and adoption with scientific and clinical input for training and materials.
• Represent Pearson through conference presentations, publications, and scholarly activities.

Skills

Clinical research leadership

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Digital literacy

Education

PhD in SLP or related field

Tools

AI technologies

Job description

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist (Clinical) to steer research across portfolio domains including academic achievement, speech and language, cognition, and early childhood assessment. The ideal candidate blends a PhD with clinical insight and translates science into product priorities.

The role collaborates across Content, Product, Psychometrics, and Digital Development, with opportunities to apply AI and emerging tech to advance research and innovation.