Hello CER Colleagues!
Please see the announcement below for one Postdoctoral Fellow position to
join the Pratt Research Group at the University of Rhode Island. I
appreciate your assistance in circulating this advertisement within your
networks. Questions can be sent to justin.pratt@uri.edu
Sincerely,
Justin Pratt
*Position Description*
The Pratt Research Group at the University of Rhode Island invites
applications for one (1) Postdoctoral Fellow for a full-time, 12-month
position with benefits. The initial appointment will be for one year, with
the possibility of renewal for a maximum of one additional year, contingent
on satisfactory performance and resources.
*Research Program*
In the Pratt Research Group, we focus on understanding chemistry teaching
and learning across a variety of contexts, including informal science
settings. Our work spans content and affect-specific research questions,
while always taking a theory-based approach to study design, data
collection, and data analysis. Current interests include understanding the
impacts of chemistry outreach/informal science events and developing tools
to better understand these practitioners. Additionally, we are interested
in inorganic chemistry education and topics that are built upon from
general chemistry, from both the student and faculty perspectives; we seek
to understand how these advanced courses are structured, the impacts they
have on student learning and knowledge development, and how key concepts
are iteratively built upon over the course of the chemistry curriculum.
Regardless of topic, our methods are guided by our research questions and
theoretical perspectives and include both qualitative and quantitative
approaches as appropriate. More information about the Pratt Research Group
can be found here:
https://sites.google.com/uri.edu/pratt-research-group/home
*Duties and Responsibilities*
The Postdoctoral Fellow will work on discipline-based education research
projects related to the described research program. The Postdoctoral Fellow
will also have the opportunity to propose and conduct a research project
that synergies their interests with that of the Pratt Research Group.
Successful candidates will demonstrate experience with the duties and
responsibilities related to this position:
1) Project design (aligning research questions with theory, methods,
interview prompts, IRB applications, etc.)
2) Data collection (conducting interviews, classroom observations,
administering surveys, etc.)
3) Qualitative data analysis (using software such as ATLAS.ti, NVivo,
Dedoose, etc.) and/or quantitative data analysis (using software such as R,
MPlus, etc.)
4) Dissemination (writing publications and presenting at
conferences/workshops)
5) Mentoring (supporting graduate and/or undergraduate students with the
research process)
During the first month of the appointment, the successful candidate will
prepare a professional development to support their overall success. This
plan will include (A) a timeline for preparing application materials for
post-appointment employment, (B) the knowledge and skills they want to
develop during the appointment, (C) an set of milestones for a research
project that synergizes their interests with that of the Pratt Research
Group, and (D) professional development opportunities geared towards their
interests and career goals, such as attending programs offered by URI’s
Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning or career development
workshops offered by the American Chemical Society.
If the successful candidate has interests in careers in academia and/or
other related fields, they will have opportunities to gain classroom
instruction experience and participate in the preparation of grant
proposals.
*Education Requirement*
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in chemical education, discipline-based
education, science education, or a closely related field at time of
appointment.
*Salary*
The initial full-time appointment is for one year, with the possibility of
extending for a second year based on performance and the availability of
funding. The salary is based on NIH postdoctoral stipend recommendations;
the starting salary recommended by the NIH is $56,484.
*Application Process*
Review of applications will begin on April 3, 2023 and will continue until
the position is filled. Preferred start date is mid-July but is negotiable
and flexible to meet the needs of the individual.
If you are interested, feel free to reach out with any questions.
Questions and the following application materials can be submitted directly
to Dr. Justin Pratt at justin.pratt@uri.edu.
1) Cover letter addressing interest in the position, the alignment of
candidate’s skills and experience with the duties and responsibilities of
the position, and the skills or expertise that the candidate seeks to
develop as part of this experience (2-3 pages)
2) Curriculum Vita
3) Name and contact information for three references
Top candidates will be interviewed using Zoom (or equivalent) with the
possibility of a campus visit. Letters of recommendation, a summary of
research interests, a proposal for a synergistic project, and/or other
supporting documentation may be requested from finalists for this position.
