The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF), a multimillion dollar foundation located in
Moorestown, New Jersey (just outside Philadelphia), is seeking a Senior Program Officer for
Research to develop and manage its research programs.
Established as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization in 2000, KSTF supports two nationwide
programs designed to improve the quality of high school science and mathematics teaching:
• Fellowships for outstanding beginning high school science and mathematics teachers
• Educational research through internal research programs and Research Fellowships for
early career scholars
The Senior Program Officer for Research will design, conduct, and manage research that draws
on the unique opportunities provided by the KSTF Teaching Fellowship Program. These
opportunities include research with dedicated high school science and mathematics teachers
who: have exceptionally strong disciplinary knowledge; are credentialed via numerous teacher
preparation programs; form a professional community of teacher-learners for 5 years, from
credential through tenure; and interact regularly, both online and at Fellows’ Meetings. The
Senior Program Officer for Research will also oversee the KSTF Research Fellowship Program.
This program provides grants and other support to pre-tenure faculty doing research on the
recruitment, preparation, induction, mentoring and retention of beginning high school science
and mathematics teachers. The individual hired for this position will have the authority,
responsibility and flexibility to create the position as it develops, including hiring research
assistants and/or creating a post-doc position. The Senior Program Officer for Research will
function as part of the KSTF management team, along with the Executive Director, Senior
Program Officer for Teaching Fellowships, and Senior Program Officer for Teaching Fellowship
Alumni.
The ideal candidate for this position will have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and
a combination of the following strengths and abilities:
• Doctorate in a field relevant to science and mathematics education
• Established record of education research
• Understanding of and experience with the multiple perspectives that inform education
research
• Familiarity with the many venues through which to disseminate education research
• Deep and extensive knowledge of the relationships among research, practice and policy in
teacher education
• Ability to effectively promote the mission and accomplishments of KSTF to a wide variety
of stakeholders
• Strong oral and written communication skills, self-motivation and ability to set clear
priorities
• Ability to initiate projects and work with a team to follow them through to completion
• Ability to respond flexibly and creatively to the foundation's needs as they arise
Salary is based on education and experience. Search will remain open until position is filled.
Interested applicants should review the KSTF website (www.kstf.org) and send a letter of
interest and a resume or vita to: Ralph Putnam, Senior Program Officer for Research,
rputnam@kstf.org or 856-608-0008 (fax).
