The "Show Me the Data" Team, a group of cross-UC researchers at UC San Diego and UC Riverside, is inviting applications for two full-time Post-Doctoral Researchers for 3-year terms. One Post-Doctoral Researcher will be based at UC San Diego, and one Post-Doctoral Researcher will be based at UC Riverside. The postdocs will join a new project funded by a 5-year NSF I-USE Transformations grant (PIs: Melinda Owens, Richard Edwards; co-PIs: Claire Meaders, Annie S. Ditta).
This project brings together researchers who are interested in understanding the ways in which university instructors make use of teaching observation data and how such data may be used to promote long-lasting changes in teaching of STEM courses (e.g., promote increased use of high-impact practices in the classroom). The Post-Doctoral Researchers will have the exciting opportunity to work with the Teaching and Learning Centers (TLCs) at UC San Diego and UC Riverside to build their skills in teaching observation protocols, survey and interview instrument construction, and qualitative and quantitative data analytical methods.
Each Post-Doctoral Researcher will be an active member of a team, working collaboratively with PIs Owens & Richards and co-PIs Meaders & Ditta, as well as the other Post-Doctoral Researcher and graduate and undergraduate students at both the home and the other grant site. Each Post-Doctoral Researcher will work closely with the 2 campus research teams to coordinate with site PIs on: 1) developing survey instruments to assess meaning-making from teaching observation data, 2) receiving and providing training in the use of teaching observation protocols, and 3) coordinating teaching observations and pre- and post-observation interviews. Each Post-Doctoral Researcher will take a lead role in data collection at the home site and will be available to support data collection at the other site. The Post-Doctoral Researcher additionally will lead data analysis as data are collected. Time permitting, the postdoc will also be encouraged to develop and conduct independent research.
Essential Duties
* Work collaboratively with the cross-campus grant leadership team.
* Liaise with 2 research teams: coordinating survey and interview construction, training and implementation of data collection (including participant recruitment).
* Lead data collection at home institution, including instructor interviews and classroom observations
* Lead a data analysis team
* Develop and conduct independent research, time permitting
Minimum Requirements
* PhD in a STEM discipline, science or STEM Education Research, psychology, or a related discipline
* Experience or strong interest in science education research
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* Proficiency with quantitative statistical analysis
* Excellent organizational skills
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience teaching using evidence-based teaching practices
* Knowledge of or experience using teaching observations in STEM Education (Instructor Talk, COPUS, DART, CDOP)
* Experience with teaching-related professional development
* Experience with survey construction and validation
* Proficiency with qualitative research methods
* Commitment to helping the University of California serve minoritized students
Start date: July 1, 2023 but negotiable
Modality: Mostly in-person, but remote work is possible for the first summer (2023)
Salary and Benefits: The annual stipend and benefits will be commensurate with University of California guidelines. The annual stipend starts at $64,480 per year.
Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter that includes the names of 3 references, CV, Statement of Past Research (1-2pg), and Statement of Past/Present Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence (1-2pgs). Please mention your preferred campus in the cover letter and email all materials to Dr. Richard Edwards at redwards@ucr.edu.
References will be contacted for letters separately. Review of applications will begin on April 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Questions can be emailed to Dr. Melinda T. Owens (mtowens@ucsd.edu) or Dr. Richard Edwards (redwards@ucr.edu).
Stanley M. Lo, Ph.D.
Pronouns: he/they - why pronouns matter
Teaching Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology
Affiliate Faculty, Mathematics & Science Education
University of California San Diego
Email: smlo@ucsd.edu | Phone: 858-246-1087
