https://www.chem.ubc.ca/
CCSES Postdoctoral Researcher
The Canadian Consortium of Science Equity Scholars (CCSES) seeks a postdoctoral scholar to engage in discipline-based education research to improve equity in science courses across four post-secondary institutions. The CCSES is a group dedicated to improving equity in university-level science courses to better support all students, especially those who are historically or currently underrepresented.
A deep and diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent pool is necessary to foster the innovation needed to address global challenges, from pandemics to climate change. However, achievement and employment in science disciplines continue to suffer from representation disparities. Our research aims to discover how the instructor-created classroom climate impacts students’ sense of belonging, and how sense of belonging impacts interest and persistence in STEM.
The Consortium goals are to:
- Discover how the instructor-created classroom climate impacts students' sense of belonging across science courses, institutions, and demographic groups, and identify the specific inclusive teaching practices that promote equity.
- Develop and share high-quality tools to investigate equity in STEM classes across Canada.
- Reframe approaches to university-level science equity work by applying critical research methodologies.
- Cultivate a national community of science equity scholars across education and science faculties to facilitate continued research and innovation.
The successful candidate will play a key role in all aspects of the project. The duties may include:
- Research: Design of qualitative approaches suitable to the goals above, implementation of critical perspectives, literature review, consultation on quantitative research design, data analysis, co-authoring publications.
- Leadership and planning: Mentoring graduate and undergraduate research assistants, leading and administering core research team meetings, co-organizing tri-annual Consortium-wide research meetings, co-organizing annual Consortium virtual retreat, organizing monthly CCSES reading group.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D) in discipline-based education research (e.g. biology education research, chemistry education research, physics education research), any field of education, or science with related education research experience.
- Bring experience commensurate with the CCSES goals of incorporating critical perspectives and giving voice to students through complementary qualitative analysis. Mixed-methods research experience is an asset.
- Have a demonstrated interest in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Possess strong organization, and verbal and written communication skills.
- Have experience with research ethics review processes.
- Be interested in opportunities and new challenges including leadership development.
As a key frontline member of the CCSES, the postdoctoral researcher will be at the centre of a nationwide network of post-secondary researchers with the shared goal of improving equity in science education. They will enhance their own research expertise, and develop leadership, project management, and organizational skills that will be an asset to them in their future careers, within or outside of academia.
The researcher will be hired at one of the four CCSES institutions (University of British Columbia - Vancouver, University of Calgary, York University, or University of Toronto - Scarborough), but will work collaboratively with the core research team (including faculty members from biology, chemistry, and physics departments) and report directly to consortium co-directors Drs. Jared Stang (University of Calgary) and Jaclyn Stewart (University of British Columbia). This position is a 50% appointment.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Canadian Human Rights Act or B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
To apply, please submit as a single pdf file the following:
- A one-page letter of interest, addressing how your prior research experience will contribute to this project and how this project fits into your career goals.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) including an up-to-date list of publications.
- A two-page research statement.
- References do not need to be included and will be requested for short-listed candidates.
Deadline for applications is May 31st, 2022. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2022. Start date is negotiable.
The initial appointment is for one year with possibility of renewal annually for up to three years.
Applications may be sent to Dr. Jaclyn Stewart at jstewart@chem.ubc.ca.
