PER and Online Learning Postdoc Position at University of Central Florida
The Department of Physics at University of Central Florida invites applications for a postdoctoral research position working at the intersection of Physics and Online Education research. The successful candidate will work with Assistant Prof. Zhongzhou Chen to design and implement a series of online-learning experiments in UCF's large introductory physics courses, and analyze large amounts of clickstream data collected from those experiment to gain insight into student learning behavior.
Job description:
With the nation's second largest undergraduate population and a strong focus on online and distributed learning, UCF presents an excellent opportunity to conduct large scale online learning experiments and collect massive high quality student learning data. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to study a wide range of research questions in physics and STEM education, through modeling and analysing learnign data collected from custom designed online learning modules deployed in introductory physics courses. He/she will also take a leading role in designing, developing and implementing instructional meterials and tools for online and blended learning environments, working closely with a team of developers from the center for distributed learning at UCF. For more detailed information please visit: http://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/per/per-faculty/zhongzhou-chen/
This is an initial 12-month appointment, with possible renewal for a second year. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in extensive personalized professional mentoring as part of UCF’s Preeminent Postdoctoral Program. Professional development activities may include training on and participation in grant writing, training in mentoring and scaffolded mentoring of students, participation in the STEM Education Reading Group, and participation in the UCF iSTEM Faculty Fellows program (for disciplinary faculty working on education projects).
Required experience: Ph.D. in Physics, Physics Education Research, STEM Education Research, Psychometrics, Data Science or other related fields. Familiarity with discipline-based education research methodologies and comfortable working with large educational datasets. Demonstrated ability to work/collaborate with others and work independently.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
Online, digital or technology enhanced learning research, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
Educational data-mining
Big data and data visualization
Web development
Psychometrics
Salary: $50,000 per year with benefits and $5000 one time travel award.
Start date: Between January 2018 and June 2018. (Exact starting date will be negotiated with the successful candidate.)
How to apply: Applicants should submit the following materials to Dr. Zhongzhou Chen at Zhongzhou.Chen@ucf.edu.
1. Letter of interest
2. Current CV including a list of publications;
3. A Statement of Research Interests describing the candidate's relevant background and research interest;
4. Contact information for three professional references to Dr. Zhongzhou Chen Zhongzhou.Chen@ucf.edu;
5. Put "Postdoc Application 2018" in the subject line
Screening of candidates will start on December 1st, 2017, and the position will remain open till it is filled.
Additional Information:
For more information on the Physics Education Research group at UCF please visit:
https://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/research/research-areas/physics-education-research/
http://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/per/
The University of Central Florida is located conveniently in sunny Orlando, Florida.
