Postdoctoral Scholar – Learning Analytics and Measurement in Behavioral Sciences (LAMBS) Lab and Center for Educational Research and Action (Era), University of Notre Dame

The Learning Analytics and Measurement in Behavioral Sciences (LAMBS) Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral researcher position in Adaptive Learning, Assessment, and Analytics. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year based on satisfactory performance. This position is jointly funded by an NSF grant awarded to the director of the LAMBS Lab, Dr. Ying ("Alison") Cheng, and the Center for Educational Research and Action (Era) within the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI). The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr. Cheng, Sweeney Family Collegiate Professor of Quantitative Psychology and Education and Fellow of IEI.The successful candidate would join a team of researchers in LAMBS who are highly experienced in psychometrics, educational data mining, measurement and evaluation, and AI in education. He/She will also be part of a cohort of Era postdoctoral researchers conducting interdisciplinary research that advances fundamental knowledge of learning and the systems that shape it while designing and improving learning environments in partnership with communities.The postdoctoral researcher is expected to play a central role in connecting measurement theory and practice, data mining methods, and AI to solve real-world problems in K-16 instruction and learning.The start date of the position is flexible, but the preferred start is no later than September 1, 2026.DutiesWork on an NSF-funded project involving adaptive testing and adaptive learning, in collaboration with researchers in computer science and chemical engineering;Contribute to projects exploring applications of AI in education, including automated scoring, synthetic data generation, and the application of psychometric methods to large language model evaluation;Analyze existing corpora of student engagement and learning data using educational data mining and visualization methods;Mentor graduate and undergraduate students;Contribute to report writing, manuscript preparation, and other dissemination efforts;Contribute to grant writing and support grant-funded research projects.Unique Training OpportunityThis position offers advanced training in quantitative and psychometric methods, along with opportunities to collaborate broadly with computer scientists, learning scientists, instructional designers, and engineers as part of a coordinated postdoctoral cohort.Salary RangeSalary is competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. The position is contingent upon funding.Applications received on or before June 12, 2026 will be given full consideration. Questions about the position should be addressed to Dr. Alison Cheng at ycheng4@nd.edu.About EraThe Center for Educational Research and Action (Era) at Notre Dame advances knowledge of learning and learning environments through the integration of research, practice, and public service. Era supports the development of students and early-career researchers, conducts interdisciplinary research with educators and community partners, and hosts conversations about big questions in education.QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:This position requires a doctoral degree (or ABD) in psychometrics, educational measurement and statistics, educational data mining, learning analytics, or a related field by the time of hire, and experience conducting educational research in school settings. Familiarity with R or Python is required.Preferred QualificationsExperience in adaptive testing, AI in education, and/or deep learning. Experience working in multidisciplinary teams is preferred.Application InstructionsApplication DetailsPlease submit the following materials via Interfolio: Cover letter detailing qualifications for the position, including a clear statement of research interests and description of relevant subject area expertise, and statistical analysis and data management experience; Curriculum vitae; Up to three publications demonstrating relevant expertise; Names and contact information for three references.Equal Employment Opportunity StatementThe University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.Background Check This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.