Job Information
University of Utah Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Lear in SALT LAKE CITY, Utah
The University of Utah College of Education invites applications for a post-doctoral Research Associate position in Learning Sciences. This position will focus on an interdisciplinary research project aimed at designing and implementing museum-based workshops intended to deepen public engagement with science and improve communication across differences around tough issues that bridge science and society, such as climate change, environmental regulation, and public land use.This project, scheduled to begin in Fall 2022, will design, implement, and research a series of community workshops run through the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU), part of the University of Utah. This project aims to use interdisciplinary methods to generate new knowledge about 1) learning processes of contentious issues in science, specifically cognitive, affective, and sociopolitical influences and their interactions; 2) mid-and long-term impacts of such workshops, and 3) how to design such learning opportunities for the public. Broadly, work will also involve bridging disciplines, including science education and applied cognition, through the integration of multiple research methods and theoretical approaches.The postdoc will work under the direction of Drs. Lynne Zummo and Monika Lohani (University of Utah) to: Support a program of scholarly research aimed at generating new knowledge around the learning of contentious, science-related issues. Coordinate logistics of implementing workshops, including collaborating with NHMU staff, reserving spaces, recruiting participants, and collecting supplies. Support development of research measures and assessments through reliability and validity testing. Manage data collection at workshops, including managing online survey software, overseeing video and audio data collection, collecting psychophysical measures, and troubleshooting technical issues with participants. Manage, securely store, and catalog all collected data. Oversee a team of graduate and undergraduate students in conducting workshops, data collection, and analysis. Support data analysis by leading with methodological expertise and serving as an apprentice where they are still learning. Assist or lead in writing manuscripts, conference proposals, and other materials to disseminate findings. Serve as a collaborator for grant proposals to appropriate national agencies and foundations.Qualifications: A Ph.D. in STEM education, science education, learning sciences, educational psychology, or a related area. Highly desirable work experiences include previous experience with quantitative and mixed-methods research studies, research grants, or publication preparation.The position is a full-time, two-year contract position. The ideal start date is July 1, 2022, but it is somewhat flexible. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled. Available salary is $65,000 and includes benefits (excludes retirement)