NOW HIRING: POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE: PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH
Applications are invited for a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics at Cornell University. The successful candidate will participate in a project to evaluate student framing in non-traditional instructional physics labs.
Job description:
The successful candidate will take a leading role in the collection and analysis of video and written data of students working on group lab activities, particularly to evaluate evidence of student framing over time. The successful candidate will be advised by Prof. Natasha Holmes and work collaboratively with several graduate and undergraduate students on the project, joining a collaboration with researchers at Tufts University (David Hammer) and the University of Washington-Bothell (Rachel Scherr).
Discipline-based education research is growing at Cornell, with faculty and collaborators in physics, biology, and other STEM fields, as well as a number of teaching postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students across disciplines. The physics education researchers, led by Holmes, includes 1-2 postdocs, 4-5 graduate students, and 2-3 undergraduate researchers. We also collaborate extensively with biology education researchers, led by Prof. Michelle Smith in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, including 4 postdocs, 2 graduate students, and 3 undergraduates. Together, we hold joint group meetings and journal club discussions and collaborate on several funded projects. Thus, as a postdoc in the group, the successful candidate would be well-supported in their research efforts, connecting with an interdisciplinary group of discipline-based education researchers.
Logistics:
Employer: Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY – possibility for remote work (likely at the start)
Start date: Summer or Fall 2021
Time commitment: Prefer full-time, but will be flexible for the right candidate.
Length of appointment: Two years.
Preferred qualifications include any of the following:
- Ph.D. in physics education research, physics or astronomy, or closely related field.
- Experience with relevant literature and education research methods; expertise in qualitative research methods is particularly relevant.
- Ability and desire to work both independently and collaboratively, including to mentor graduate and undergraduate students
- Project leadership, time management, communication, and writing skills.
- Exposure to research on lab instruction an asset, but not required.
- Enthusiasm to learn new methods, bodies of literature, etc.
To apply:
Submit a CV, cover letter, and a brief research statement including relevant background and experiences, as well as the names and email or phone contacts of three professional references on Academic Jobs Online.
Please also contact Prof. Holmes with any questions.
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.
