How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume/CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Learning Analytics and Education Technology
Professor of Physics, Astronomy, and Education Tim McKay is searching for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a team focused on using data to understand and improve large foundational STEM courses, both at the University of Michigan and at our partner institutions within the SEISMIC collaboration. This fellow will play a central role in the design, development, and delivery of classroom interventions, experiments, and measurement instruments, leading the analysis and publication of results related to student behavior, affect, sense-of-belonging, and learning outcomes.
Our team includes experts in STEM education, data science, education technology, software development, behavioral science, and user experience design. We work closely with large course instructional teams in an array of disciplines, closing the gap between education research and practice, and supporting the establishment and application of equitable, inclusive, evidence-based teaching. One of our core research tools is the ECoach platform, which uses extensive data about student background, interests, goals, and current state to deliver computer-tailored coaching to more than 5000 students every semester in an array of physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science courses on multiple research university campuses.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:
- Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.
- Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.
Who We Are
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitments to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Guiding Principles, and sustain the excellence of LSA.
- To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion visit http://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/about/diversity--equity-and-inclusion.html
- To learn more about LSA’s Guiding Principles visit http://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/faculty-staff/human-resources/lsa-staff-guiding-principles.html
Responsibilities*
Like all of our team members, we would expect this postdoctoral fellow to engage in both collaborative and self-directed research. As such, we seek a creative, generous, kind individual with experience working in research teams. We would expect our new colleague to have experience with some data science and educational research methods, along with a desire to learn more. We want you to help us to conduct quantitative and qualitative research using data from sources including ECoach, text created through student discourse and writing, surveys, interviews, and focus groups, then to disseminate these results through professional publications, presentations, and occasional shouting from the rooftops.
Strong candidates might have Ph.D. degrees in Learning Sciences, Higher Education, Econometrics, Discipline-Based Science Education, Computer Science, Information, or related fields. A description of how your background and interests make you well suited for this work should be included in your application materials. Demonstrated skill in scientific communication, both written and oral, is an important asset, as is a desire to get better at both. Our team succeeds by advancing the career ambitions of its members.
Required Qualifications*
• PhD in a relevant field successfully defended by start date
• Experience conducting and publishing research in academic venues
• Demonstrated interest in studying and improving the outcomes of postsecondary STEM education
Desired Qualifications*
• Experience with analysis of large quantitative and qualitative data sets
• Experience with social psychological and behavioral intervention experiments
• Design and analysis of instructional, behavioral, or psychosocial interventions
Additional Information
This position is currently open, and the start date could be as early as September 3, 2019.
While this is expected to be a two-year appointment, the initial position is a full-time one-year position with a presumption of renewal for the second year. There is a possibility of an additional third year pending funding, availability of work, and satisfactory performance. The salary will be $50,000-$60,000 plus benefits (health) per year, depending upon qualifications.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
