Statistician- Tennessee Reading Research Center- UTK

We seek a statistician to support ongoing and emerging research projects at the Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC). Current projects involve propensity score weighting, multi-level growth curve modeling, hierarchical linear models, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, multi-level IRT, and meta-analysis. The statistician will collaborate with the TRRC director on research initiatives, direct the analysis of multilevel data, contribute to publications, and supervise staff and student assistants involved in data collection and preparation.

• Collaborate with the director of the center on multi-faceted research initiatives and producing publications for different audiences.
• Develop research plans involving highly complex methodology. Direct the analysis of multilevel data to meet research project deliverables.
• Design advanced solutions to statistical problems.
• Produce reports of research methods, results, and interpretations.
• Produce tabular and graphical displays of data and results.
• Direct the data documentation process and open science framework by keeping accurate and timely records about the data collection, cleaning, and analysis processes.
• Conduct original research that advances statistical approaches to complex data, contributes to new avenues of investigation, and generates external funding.
• Mentor and supervise staff and student assistants supporting data collection and preparation.
• Lead the data team in identifying and solving problems in the data collection and preparation processes.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in statistics, educational measurement, or related field prior to the first day of employment (doctoral candidates may apply as long as degree conferral occurs 10 days before the first date of employment)
• Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting complex statistical analysis with multilevel data.
• Demonstrated skills in statistical analysis of complex and multilevel data.
• Ability to work with large data sets, verifying and checking data thoroughly for accuracy and completeness, and importing and exporting files between software programs.
• Demonstrated ability to write and learn statistical code and continually acquire new competencies.
• Ability to create clear, accurate representations of data.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using R statistical software.
• Excellent written, numerical, and graphical communication skills.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize, problem solve, and organize tasks to meet deadlines and follow through on assignments with minimal direction, often under pressure.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to end users and management both verbally and in writing.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with statewide longitudinal data systems
• Advanced knowledge of R packages
• Strong verbal communication skills and writing abilities for disseminating technical results
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, and Java Script
• Knowledge of experimental and quasi-experimental research designs
• Knowledge of Bayesian statistics
• Knowledge of preK-12 education data

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR13
• Anticipated hiring range: $78,000 - $88,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample
• List of 3 Professional References

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 10, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) was formed as a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee System with the charge to become a leader in literacy. Under externally funded contracts, the TRRC is conducting evaluations of literacy initiatives implemented at scale and research studies aimed at identifying effective literacy instructional practices and instruments for evaluating outcomes. The projects are led by Professor and Director Dr. Deborah K Reed and a team of professionals with a variety of expertise. The TRRC works in collaboration with external stakeholders including other universities, state education agencies, community organizations, and school districts.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

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