Lead Learning Scientist, Clinical Assessments (Remote)

Pearson; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist (Clinical) to lead research across portfolio domains including cognitive, language, and early childhood assessments. You will translate business strategy into clear research and product priorities, while mentoring teams and applying AI to advance development.

Remote or on-site options in SA, Bloomington, or US-based offices are available. The role emphasizes leadership, scientific rigor, collaboration across functions, and ongoing

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.
• Demonstrated ability to translate scientific and clinical evidence into strategic recommendations that balance scientific rigor, clinical relevance, 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.

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, 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.
• Maintain flexibility in work hours, as needed, to collaborate with international colleagues, approximately 10% of the time.
• Travel approximately 10%.

Skills

Leadership

Research leadership

Clinical experience

AI & emerging technologies

Collaboration & influence

Education

Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology or related field

5+ years in speech/language, literacy, or related fields

Experience administering/interpreting standardized assessments

Expertise in test development and psychometrics

Strong scientific writing and dissemination

Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional settings

Job description

Pearson is seeking a Lead Specialist, Learning Scientist (Clinical) to lead research across portfolio domains including cognitive, language, and early childhood assessments. You will translate business strategy into clear research and product priorities, while mentoring teams and applying AI to advance development.

Remote or on-site options in SA, Bloomington, or US-based offices are available. The role emphasizes leadership, scientific rigor, collaboration across functions, and ongoing