Research Assistant/ Instructor, Colorado School of Mines

 https://jobs.mines.edu/en-us/job/495434/research-assistant-instructor-get-the-facts-out

Position Title

Research Assistant- Get the Facts Out

The Opportunity

The Colorado School of Mines seeks a full-time research assistant and instructor to work with an NSF grant-funded project called Get the Facts Out: Changing the Conversation around STEM teaching and Teach@Mines. Get the Facts Out is an innovative partnership led by Mines that includes the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Chemical Society, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, behavior change researchers, teacher educators, and several colleges and universities which serve as study sites. The grant aims to tackle misperceptions about the teaching profession with the goal of increasing the fraction of physics, chemistry, and math majors that choose to pursue middle and high school teaching as a career. The incumbent will also have the opportunity to teach mathematics or science methods courses to preservice teachers in the Teach@Mines program. The research assistant will be part of a very collaborative, reliable, and geographically diverse group that meets weekly. The team works on a range of projects including a large-scale longitudinal research study of student and faculty perceptions of the teaching profession, ongoing development and testing of STEM teacher recruitment resources, and management and support of a national community of faculty who are working to share accurate information about the teaching profession with students. The group is led by Wendy Adams, Associate Professor of Physics at Mines and David May, GFO Project Manager.

Responsibilities

Research Conduct research on perceptions of teaching as a profession, including longitudinal analyses of perceptions through surveys, site visits, interviews, and focus groups Collaborate with other research assistants/consultants, and report findings through peer-reviewed publications Assist with developing and submitting research grant proposals. Teacher preparation Teach mathematics or science methods courses to preservice teachers Conduct teacher recruitment activities at Mines including presentations and advising Assist with the application process for state approval of Mines’ teacher education program

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, science education, or math education by employment start date Previous pedagogical experience, with a post-secondary degree in education research or demonstrated interest in education research Excellent communications skills, strong quantitative skills, the ability to work collaboratively, the self-discipline to work independently, and multi-task

About Mines & Golden, CO

Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver.  The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. An arid climate and an average 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community – offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience.    The Department of Physics is housed in the new CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering building, which is at the center of campus and has several new classrooms designed for interactive and innovative teaching techniques.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Pay Range

$55,000 Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Total Rewards

Mines is proud to provide exceptional benefits that include pay, health & wellness and work/life balance offerings.  Our portfolio of benefits includes medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, Mines employees are eligible for tuition benefits (for employees and dependents), generous paid holidays and leaves and discount programs.  For more information, visit Mines benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veterans status) and upload a CV with references listed and a cover letter that addresses the qualifications described above, describes the applicant’s interest in joining the project, and answers the following questions: In what ways do your previous research, teaching, and/or outreach experiences inform your interest in recruiting new science and math teachers? What background experiences do you have that lead you to feel prepared for and interested in statistical analysis of large-scale data and conducting individual interviews? How do your previous experiences prepare you to work cooperatively and productively with colleagues, students, and supervisors from diverse backgrounds? In this postdoctoral research position, you will gain significant skills in physics education research, as well as skills related to the development and user-testing of recruitment resources. How do you envision those skills will be useful to you later in your career? References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Background Investigation Required

Yes

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

This position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination upon hire. Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.

Advertised: Jan 21, 2022 Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled