WestEd is Hiring!
Research Associate in Science Education
Reports to: Managing Associate Director STEM
Program: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Location: Redwood City, CA
Time Base: 100%
Position No: 5002
WestEd — a nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency — works with education and other communities throughout the United States and abroad to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has more than a dozen offices nationwide, from Massachusetts, Vermont, and Georgia, to Illinois, Arizona, and California, with headquarters in San Francisco.
WestEd’s program for education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has about 100 staff and 150 projects, many of them focused on science education. Project types include primary research studies, external evaluations, science teacher professional development, and development of innovative science curricula and assessments. Projects often involve collaborations among the Program’s scientists and science education experts. The Program includes experts in quantitative methods and study design who collaborate with other researchers as needed.
Position Description:
This position focuses on the STEM Program’s (1) grant-funded research studies of science education phenomena and (2) contracted evaluations of science education projects and programs. Research studies include understanding middle school science teachers’ enactment of Next Generation Science Standards and a longitudinal study of the effects of professional development on elementary teachers’ science instruction. Evaluations include studying robust implementation of NGSS by 10 school districts at the elementary and middle grades.
The position minimally requires a PhD or EdD (conferred or ABD) expressly focused on science education and can range up to associate professor equivalent; correspondingly, salary will be commensurate with experience. Any post-Phd experience should include research in science education and peer-reviewed publications of it. All staff researchers must have an interest in and ability to attract external funding for pursuing their research and evaluation interests. The researcher will work closely with a senior researcher in science education who also serves as Associate Director of the STEM Program.
Responsibilities:
Develop and carry out qualitative studies of science teaching and student learning.
Develop and use protocols for interviewing and observing K-12 science teachers and students.
Formally design, pilot, administer, analyze and report complex surveys.
Conduct analysis and synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative data, including use of qualitative analysis software and standard statistical packages for quantitative data.
Search and review literature in science education and other education fields.
Ability to render literature for peer-reviewed publications and funding proposals.
Develop, write and win proposals for external funding to support research interests.
Rendering literature and study findings as succinct summaries for decision makers that helps make the research base and/or evidence clear and transparent.
Travel locally and non-locally for fieldwork and conferences monthly, and possibly more frequently in concentrated periods.
Qualifications
Required:
Note: details that follow vary based on level of experience and seniority
PhD or EdD (conferred or ABD) in science education.
Any research experience beyond doctorate includes a focus on formal science education settings.
Prior U.S. K-12 science teaching experience.
Strong interest and skill in academic publication in peer reviewed journals such as JRST and Science Education.
Strong writing skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work across multiple projects and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to work as a team player and to treat staff and clients respectfully.
Ability to work under tight timelines and meet fixed deadlines.
Stance toward continuous growth.
Ability to provide and accept constructive criticism.
Preferred:
K-8 school based experience.
Experience with external project and/or program evaluations.
Experience with project and staff team management.
Understanding and experience with implementation of NGSS.
Experience with studying science teacher professional development.
Strong interest and skill with data visualization and presentation skills for varied audiences.
Application Process:
We invite you to apply online at:
http://careers.wested.org/cs/
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the online application process, please call 415.615.3131. Please leave a message and a member of our Human Resources team will return your call within three business days. Alternatively, you may send an email to hr-help@wested.org with "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject line of the email. Please note that this phone number and email are only for those individuals with a disability who would like to request an accommodation to apply for a job. If you are not an individual with a disability and have a question or comment, please email recruitingassistance@wested.
Human Resources
WestEd
730 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
http://www.WestEd.org
WestEd is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veterans’ status or other status protected by applicable law.
Benefits Highlights:
All health benefits effective first of the month following date of hire
15% contribution toward retirement effective day one of employment
15 vacation days, which will increase to 20 days per year beginning the 4th year of employment
12 holidays
12 days sick leave per year
