Edtech.com's Summary

University of Wisconsin - Madison is hiring a Content Developer to support simulation development for WCER’s SimLab and its partners. The role combines hands-on content development with project management, translating stakeholder input and research evidence into simulation scenarios, avatars, and assessment materials. The developer coordinates project timelines and deliverables while partnering with the science lead, delivery staff, and engineering team to build AI-informed, evidence-based learning experiences.

Highlights

Develop and refine simulation scenarios, rubrics, and assessment materials with SimLab partners.
Create and refine virtual avatars and interactor materials for simulation delivery.
Use and evaluate generative AI tools to build realistic training scenarios and materials.
Manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables, escalating risks as needed.
Serve as primary point of contact for assigned project partners.
Conduct literature reviews to inform project content and development.
Facilitate interactor training and beta testing activities.
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
Experience managing projects and working directly with clients or stakeholders is required.
Starting salary of $70,000, commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package including generous PTO, health/dental/vision/life insurance, and the Wisconsin Retirement System pension.

Content Developer Full Description

Job Summary

The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) seeks a Content Developer to support simulation development for the SimLab and its partners. Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Content Developer collaborates with SimLab partners, the science lead, delivery staff, and engineering team to develop and refine simulation-based learning experiences. This role sits at the intersection of simulation development and artificial intelligence, combining hands-on content development with project management and partner engagement. The role requires the ability to effectively use and evaluate generative AI tools to develop realistic scenarios, virtual avatars, assessment frameworks, and training materials that support authentic learning experiences. The Content Developer builds strong relationships with partners. The role translates project goals, stakeholder input, research evidence, and user needs into engaging simulation content and implementation-ready materials. In addition to content development, the role coordinates project activities, manages timelines and deliverables, supports partner communication, and helps guide projects from concept through implementation.

The UW SimLab’s vision is to set a global standard for the training and assessment of professionals’ interaction skills during challenging situations. The SimLab seeks to bring transformative change to professional training and assessment. Rather than relying on idiosyncratic field-based placements for learning skilled professional practices, the SimLab uses modern assessment design, AI, and evidence-based professional learning approaches to provide learning environments that can be controlled and studied. The SimLab supports the development of multidisciplinary professionals’ inclusive and evidence-based professional practices. By helping instructors and researchers develop, use, and analyze interaction-based tasks for instructional and research purposes, the lab encourages professionals’ exploration, professional self-efficacy, understanding of professional practice, and capability in enacting transformative skills.

Responsibilities

Attend partner and science meetings to understand project scope, goals, design, deliverables, and implementation needs.
Develop, maintain, and monitor project timelines, milestones, and deliverables; identify and communicate issues or changes that may affect project progress and coordinate resolution as appropriate.
Coordinate with the SimLab Delivery Lead to plan and support interactor training and beta testing activities.
Coordinate with the SimLab Operations Manager, Science Lead, and Engineering Lead to support project activities, address project needs, and maintain progress toward deliverables.
Conduct literature reviews and develop literature extractions to inform project content and development.
Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned project partners, coordinating communication related to project activities, timelines, and deliverables.
Collaborate with SimLab partners to co-develop, review, and refine simulation scenario materials based on project goals and needs.
Develop and refine project-specific rubrics and assessment materials.
Develop and refine participant materials to support project implementation and simulation delivery.
Develop and refine interactor materials and create or refine avatars to support effective simulation delivery.
Facilitate interactor training and provide guidance on project-specific scenarios, materials, and implementation expectations.

Key job responsibilities

Leads the development of simulation content and materials, collaborating with partners, subject matter experts, and SimLab team to ensure scenarios and supporting resources are authentic, engaging, and aligned with project goals and learning objectives.
Creates a project plan, monitors progress and performance against the project plan, and identifies, resolves, or escalates risks and issues.
Sets priorities, allocates tasks, and collaborates with project staff to meet project targets and milestones.
Manages the activities of outside contractors to ensure they are integrated into the project and that the organization receives satisfactory standards of service.
Facilitates the estimation of project costs, resources, and time required to complete the assigned phase of a project and monitors activities, negotiates for resources, and assigns tasks to ensure these targets are met. Follows established change control processes if targets can no longer be met.
Prepares regular reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team.
Independently manages assigned content development projects and deliverables, incorporating feedback, maintaining quality standards, and meeting established timelines and project expectations.

Department

School of Education / Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) / SimLab

Compensation

Minimum: $70,000. Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required qualifications

Experience managing projects, including coordinating timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
Experience working directly with clients, partners, or stakeholders to understand project goals, gather requirements, manage expectations, and collaboratively develop project deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and coordinate activities across multiple project contributors.
Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and project activities.
Experience identifying and communicating project needs, issues, or changes and coordinating with appropriate stakeholders to support project progress.
Demonstrated content development and writing skills, including experience synthesizing information from multiple sources and creating structured materials that support learning, decision-making, or project objectives.

Preferred qualifications

Experience using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support content development, project deliverables, or related work.
Experience writing or supporting simulation-based, educational, training, or assessment materials.
Experience conducting literature reviews and translating research or evidence-based practices into project materials or deliverables.
Experience facilitating training, testing, or implementation activities.
Experience working in a research, educational, or interdisciplinary project environment.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.

Contact information

Jessica Tierney, SimLab Operations Manager, [email protected]

Institutional statement on diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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