Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics Education Research at Michigan State University
Applicants are invited for a post-doctoral research associate in physics education in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Michigan State University. The successful candidate for the current position will work in the Physics Education Research Lab to study inclusive and equitable assessment practices within the physics community. The researcher would work on projects that build innovative ways to create, collect, and analyze assessment tools within physics classrooms and laboratories.
The researcher will be supervised by Dr. Rachel Henderson and will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty both inside and outside of the Physics Education Research Lab. The successful candidate will be encouraged to pursue their own research interests as they pertain to physics education research. There may also be opportunities to mentor junior researchers (e.g. graduate students and undergraduates) in projects related to this work.
Responsibilities include working in coordination with faculty to:
- Analyze assessment data that has been collected in the transformed introductory laboratories,
- Develop new assessment tools and practices using big data techniques,
- Collaborate with course instructors to implement valid assessments within their classrooms,
- Mentor junior researchers in quantitative physics education research,
- Author scientific articles in education research journals, and
- Present research findings at professional conferences.
Candidates are expected to have completed (or anticipate completion of) a Ph.D. in physics, physics education, science education, quantitative psychology (i.e. measurement and/or psychometrics), or a closely related field with preference to candidates with graduate or postdoctoral experience in the area of quantitative analysis of assessment data. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding mentoring skills, strong analytical skills, excellent writing skills, and the ability to work with undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff in a collaborative environment.
The candidate will collaborate with faculty, post-docs, and graduate students in the Physics Education Research Lab (perl.natsci.msu.edu). The Physics Education Research Lab at MSU is a dynamic community that includes 6 principal faculty, 5 research associates, 9 graduate students, and several undergraduate students. The appointment is initially for one year, with the possibility of 1-year extension, based on performance and the availability of funding. The salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The appointment is contingent upon successfully completing a full background check.
Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and an assessment philosophy statement to careers.msu.edu (posting # 683767). In your assessment philosophy statement, you should address the following three questions: (1) What are the challenges in developing assessments? (2) What do you see as the goal of assessment? and (3) What does equitable assessment mean to you? In addition, applicants should provide the names of three (3) individuals from whom letters of recommendation can be requested.
Review of applications will begin on January 30, 2021 and will continue until the position has been filled. The starting date is negotiable with a preference toward candidates that are available to start in May 2021. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Rachel Henderson, Assistant Professor in the Physics Education Research Lab at MSU, hende473@msu.edu.
We actively encourage applications from – and welcome nominations of – women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity.
