Research Technician

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The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University is welcoming enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to become hourly interventionists with Dr. Piasta’s team in the Early Literacy and Learning Lab (EL3) at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative, mission-driven group working on the NIH-funded Optimizing Phonological Awareness Learning (OPAL) project. If you’re enthusiastic about supporting children’s learning, curious about research, and excited to contribute to this impactful early literacy work, we’d love to welcome you to the team! This is a great opportunity for those seeking part-time teaching or research experience. It is an in-person position based at the EL3 in Columbus, Ohio.

The position is scheduled to begin as early as possible; specific start date will depend on partner school schedules and candidate training needs. Minimum weekly hours are guaranteed and will range depending on the phase of the project, with additional hours available depending on project needs and employee availability. The phases are segmented as follows: an initial 2-4 week training phase with a minimum of 4 hours/week, a 6-8 week autumn intervention phase with a minimum of 7-8 hours/week and up to 19 hours/week, and a 6-8 week spring intervention phase with a minimum of 7-8 hours/week and potentially up to 25 hours/week. There may be breaks between these phases depending on partner school recruitment and schedules. These may also be re-hire opportunities for the 2027-2028 school year.

Project OPAL is a multi-university, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of phonological sensitivity and/or phonemic awareness intervention for prekindergarten and kindergarten students at risk for reading difficulties. Interventionists will conduct research activities with prekindergarten and kindergarten students in Ohio elementary schools and early childhood education centers. They will assist the Principal Investigator, the project coordinator, the lead interventionist, and the research team in the long-term and day-to-day progress towards project deliverables. This includes implementing intervention with prekindergarten and kindergarten students at schools/centers; potentially conducting language and literacy assessments with students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at schools/centers and public locations; assisting with data processing and school/center communication activities; preparing and maintaining project documentation and materials; attending project/staff meetings, trainings, and workshops as needed; and otherwise assisting with in-lab and field-based activities. As a member of the Early Literacy and Learning Lab, the interventionists will contribute to a supportive, collaborative, and positive lab culture and maintain productive relationships with external partners.

This position will require regular travel to/from schools/centers and the research lab and consistent availability during school hours. The position also requires satisfactory completion of a background check and paperwork required for working with students in schools.

When applying for this position in Workday, interested candidates should attach a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and how they meet the required and desired qualifications, along with an updated resume or curriculum vitae including at least 2 professional references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The following links provide a sense of the research conducted by Dr. Piasta and within the EL3:

• FSU news story about OPAL

• Inspire magazine and podcast

• See Speak Hear podcast, E43

• Teaching Literacy podcast, E37

• Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast, E180
• Dr. Piasta’s Google Scholar profile
  

Required Experience:

1 year of relevant experience required.

Prior experience working with children (4-7 years of age). Prior experience working in a professional setting, ideally a school, early childhood center, clinic, research center, or child/youth program/nonprofit. Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Adaptable and flexible. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a research team. Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Familiarity with using iPads and Apple apps. Reliable means of transportation to/from the Crane Center, schools, and centers. Consistent daily availability Monday-Friday during school hours.

Must pass FBI/BCI background check.

Some or all of the following requirements and trainings must be met as part of onboarding to comply with partnering school licensing mandates:

• Second background check(s) through partnering schools

• Ohio Dept. of Education orientation training

• Medical form signed by a physician

• First aid

• CPR

• Child abuse and mandated reporting

• Communicable disease awareness and prevention

Desired Experience :

Experience conducting social science research. Experience with psychological and/or educational assessments. Experience providing instruction or intervention in an education setting, particularly language and/or literacy instruction. Knowledge about literacy development and evidence-based instruction. Experience with OneDrive. Knowledge and experience with data confidentiality and security.

70%

Conduct language and literacy interventions with students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at schools/centers and public locations. Follow OPAL curriculum to ensure fidelity among interventions across centers/schools. Collect lesson implementation data (video record each lesson, complete daily logs). Attend intervention trainings and meetings.

15%

Assist Dr. Piasta and research staff in the long-term and day-to-day progress towards project deliverables; help with student retention/tracking activities; attend project/staff meetings, additional trainings, and workshops as needed; and otherwise assists with field-based activities. Maintain communication with centers/schools. Monitor data collection and intervention progress. Practice lessons and prepare activities prior to going into the field for interventions.

15%

Potentially conduct language and literacy assessments with students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at schools/centers and public locations. Follow assessment guidelines to ensure fidelity among assessors across centers/schools. Collect assessment data (video/audio records of each assessment, complete assessment protocols). Assessments will consist of early language and literacy measures and will be administered to students individually.

The Target Hiring Range for this position is $16.02/hr - $20.82/hr

Additional Information:

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Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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