Doctoral Assistantship in Undergraduate STEM Teaching and Learning

Please see below and attached a doctoral assistantship opportunity

co-funded by UNL/UNO with an emphasis on undergraduate teaching and

learning, faculty development, and science literacy.  Please share as

appropriate.  Thanks in advance!

Jenny

Seeking: Ph.D. Student in Undergraduate STEM Teaching and

Learning/Discipline-Based Education Research

University of Nebraska-Lincoln/University of Nebraska at Omaha

Objective: To engage in discipline-based education research to investigate

STEM teaching and learning as part of grant-supported projects.

Description:

The School of Natural Resources (UNL) and Department of Biology (UNO) seek

a Ph.D. candidate to participate in grant-funded projects to investigate

i.) undergraduate student learning outcomes in STEM, and ii.) design and

assess professional development opportunities for undergraduate STEM

instructors (e.g., faculty and learning assistants at the undergraduate and

master=E2=80=99s level). Position includes a stipend, health insurance, and=

tuition

remission.  The planned start date for the position is August 20, 2017.

The position is initially established for a period of one year.

Continuation of this position beyond one year is contingent upon

satisfactory performance of assigned duties and available funding.  Review

of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position

is filled.

Essential Duties:

The successful candidate will have a strong desire to investigate

undergraduate STEM teaching and learning through STEM education

research/DBER. The participant will work with PIs at two institutions in

Nebraska to assess faculty development opportunities, professional

development for M.S.-level students, and establish infrastructure for

instructor training interventions on a large scale. At UNL, the Excellence

in Education for Food, Energy, and Water (E2FEW) project, recently funded

by USDA-NIFA, will support the development, implementation, and evaluation

of a 24-month sustained professional development program for STEM faculty.

At UNO, funding from three major agencies will support the candidate=E2=80=

=99s work

in program assessment of professional development programs for

undergraduates in life sciences and pre-service teachers. Across these

projects, the applicant will conduct data collection, analysis, and

dissemination of his/her work on a national or international scale.

Preferred Experience and Training:

Prior experience in research as an undergraduate and/or masters candidate

is preferred. Established productivity in education research design and

methods (quantitative, qualitative, mixed). B.S. required, M.S. strongly

preferred. Prior experience working with K-16 students is desirable.

Moreover, competitive applicants will have a demonstrated history of

collaborative work and effective communication skills (both written and

orally).

Please submit inquiries about the position to Dr. Cory Forbes (

cory.forbes@unl.edu) and Dr. Christine Cutucache (ccutucache@unomaha.edu).

To apply, applicants should email a letter of interest describing their

background, interest, qualifications, and future goals, a resume/curriculum

vitae, 2 writing samples, and names of 3 references to Drs. Cutucache and

Forbes via email.

Position Justification:

Two Universities in the state of Nebraska have active STEM learning

investigations taking place with several projects being externally funded.

These projects center around student learning outcomes in the life

sciences. Consequently, there is a vacancy for a graduate research

assistant to address research questions in this area and have the ability

to work on several projects and contribute to high quality products.