Post-Doc Research Associate
About The Position
The Center for Public Engagement with Science in the UNC Institute for the Environment seeks a postdoctoral research associate to begin as soon as April 1, 2023. This position will support curriculum development and teacher professional development activities associated with an NIH -supported project: Iterative Design to Engage All ( IDEA ) Learners. This project, led by Dr. Kathleen Gray and Dana Haine, seeks to build the capacity of grades 9-12 STEM teachers to introduce current biomedical science and careers to their students. Using design thinking, participating teachers and scientists will incorporate research on emerging contaminants (specifically, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS ) into curricula and professional development. While IDEA Learners will be the primary focus of this position, we anticipate involvement in other curriculum development and teacher professional development initiatives, based on our funding portfolio. Throughout this multi-year project, the postdoctoral research associate, along with the project team, will explore the extent to which engaging teachers in iterative design processes with scientists influences content knowledge and science teaching efficacy beliefs. The postdoctoral research associate will participate in mixed-methods research and will have opportunities to further develop their qualitative research and evaluation skills. They will contribute to curriculum development and professional development programming, support pilot testing and revision of project materials, and will serve as study coordinator. They also will mentor undergraduate students and research support staff. The postdoctoral research associate will work alongside project staff, biomedical scientists in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and other UNC system schools, and science education researchers in the UNC School of Education and NC State University College of Education. The postdoctoral research associate will be included in trainee professional development activities sponsored by the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility and affiliated departments, including seminar series. Funding is available to support presentation of research outcomes at relevant conferences and publication of articles in relevant journals. This Center for Public Engagement with Science ( CPES ) is an informal science education and community engagement hub within the UNC Institute for the Environment. CPES also is affiliated with the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility and the UNC Superfund Research Program.
Requirements
- Applicants must have experience teaching science and conducting mixed methods science education research.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including writing and editing instructional units and inquiry-based lesson plans, are required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience teaching secondary life science courses (biology, biomedical science, AP/IB Biology) in grades 9-12 STEM classrooms.
- Experience developing curricula aligned to the NC Science Essential Standards (or equivalent).
- Experience integrating research data into STEM instruction and curricula.
- Candidates who identify as members of groups that are underrepresented in STEM careers are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
- Participate in mixed-methods research
- Contribute to curriculum development and professional development programming
- Support pilot testing and revision of project materials
- Serve as study coordinator
- Mentor undergraduate students and research support staff
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What This Job Offers
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
