Dear CER Community,
I am happy to advertise a post-doctoral position at the University of South Florida. Please see below for details. Questions and application materials can be sent to jennifer@usf.edu
We will begin screening applications November 1.
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Lewis,
Professor & Graduate Program Director
USF Department of Chemistry
jennifer@usf.edu
Postdoctoral Position in Social Networks and STEM Reforms Research
Position Description
The Center for the Improvement of Teaching & Research in Undergraduate Stem Education (CITRUS) at the University of South Florida seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a full-time, 12-month position, with benefits, that can begin as early as January 1, 2018. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a two more years, contingent on satisfactory performance.
The person who is hired for this position will assist in a collaborative research effort of three universities (USF, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and Boise State University) to map change in higher education with respect to STEM reform efforts, with special attention paid to the role of faculty social networks in the change process. Social network analysis and institutional climate characterization will draw on both quantitative data collected via faculty survey and qualitative data drawn from faculty interviews. STEM education reform strategies will be characterized on each campus by gathering rates and patterns of participation in programs and through interviews with change project leaders. Finally, the extent to which faculty on each campus have adopted evidence-based instructional practices will be measured using a faculty survey, direct classroom observations, and rubric-scored course artifacts. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work under the direct supervision of Professors Jennifer Lewis of the Department of Chemistry and John Skvoretz of the Department of Sociology who are Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator for this National Science Foundation-funded project.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have the skills and experience to contribute to all phases of the data collection and data analysis planned in the project, but in particular to the collection and analysis of social network data. Specifically, the candidate will be expected to contribute by assisting with the following activities: interviewing respondents, collecting survey responses to social network prompts, preliminary analysis of social networks among faculty, and coordination of network data collection efforts across three institutions. Ideally, the successful candidate will have demonstrated quantitative and qualitative methodological skills; data visualization expertise; a strong interest in STEM education reform and training and experience with the methods of social network analysis. A Ph.D. in a STEM field with research focused on DBER topics or in social science with research applications in social network analysis or in educational measurement with documented interest in educational change is required at time of appointment.
Application Process
Please send full applications electronically to jennifer@usf.edu with a cc: to jskvoretz@usf.edu by no later than November 1, 2017. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Screening will begin November 1, 2017. The application must include a cover letter in which the applicant describes his/her experience or interests in DBER topics and social network analysis, a current CV, one sample published paper (co-authored papers are acceptable), and a list of three references with contact information. Letters of recommendation or other supporting documentation may be requested from the finalists for this position. Top candidates will be interviewed by Skype (or equivalent) with the possibility of a campus visit.
