Research Lead Technician

The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University is seeking a 20 hour per week, 50% FTE Research Lead Technician to join Dr. Piastas team in the Early Literacy and Learning Lab (EL3) at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy! The person in this position will serve as the Lead Interventionist/Assessor for the NIH-funded project Optimizing Phonological Awareness Learning (OPAL). This is an in-person position based at the EL3 in Columbus, Ohio. The position will start in late May or early June 2026.

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. The Research Lead Technician will conduct research activities with prekindergarten and kindergarten students at central Ohio elementary schools and early childhood education centers. They will assist the Principal Investigator, Dr. Piasta, and the research team in the long-term and day-to-day progress towards project deliverables. This includes leading intervention/assessment training, implementation, and monitoring at OSU; implementing intervention with students at schools/centers; conducting language and literacy assessments with students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at schools/centers and public locations; assisting with data processing, student retention/tracking, 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 Research Lead Technician 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. The position also requires satisfactory completion of a background check and trainings required for working with students in schools. The position will begin in May/June 2026 with in-lab research and recruitment activities; school and center-based intervention and assessment duties will begin in the 2026-2027 school year. The position may be renewable through June 2029 contingent upon successful performance and available funding.

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

• Inspire magazine and podcast ( )
• See Speak Hear podcast, E43 ( )
• Teaching Literacy podcast, E37 ( )
• Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast, E180 ( )
• Dr. Piastas Google Scholar profile ( )

While applying to this position in Workday, interested candidates should attach:

1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and how they meet the required and desired qualifications.

2) an updated resume or curriculum vitae.

3) the names and contact information of 3 professional references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required; 5 years of relevant experience required with High School diploma or GED, 3 years of relevant experience required with Associate's Degree, or 1 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree.
• 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.
• Prior experience coordinating a team or managing a project.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a research team.
• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; Zoom.
• Reliable means of transportation to/from the Crane Center, schools, and centers.
• Consistent daily availability Monday-Friday during school hours.
• Willingness to complete a background check, fingerprinting, and other requirements to be able to work with children in schools/centers

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
• Experience with data software and/or data processing
• Knowledge and experience with data confidentiality and security

Must pass FBI/BCI background check.

Some or all of the following requirements and trainings must be met as part of on-boarding 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

Responsibilities:

70%

Serve as lead field assessor/interventionist. Conduct assessments/interventions at centers/schools. Conduct language and literacy assessments 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 records each lesson, completes daily logs.) Assessments will consist of phonological sensitivity and phonemic assessment to a small group of students per center/school.

30%

Assist Dr. Piasta and research staff in the long-term and day-to-day progress towards project deliverables; help with student retention/tracking activities; maintain project documentation/protocols; attend project/staff meetings, additional trainings, and workshops as needed; and otherwise assist with field-based activities. Maintain communication with centers/schools. Assist project coordinator in developing and implementing field staff training. Prepare and organize assessment and intervention materials. Monitor data collection and intervention progress.

The target hiring range for this position is $22.93 to $29.95.