Faculty Research Assistant, Center for Research for Lifelong STEM Learning, Oregon State University

Imagen de Mónica Ivelisse Feliú-Mójer

Foros: 

Fecha Límite: 

Sábado, 24 octubre 2015

Oregon State University is looking for a 0.6 FTE Faculty Research Assistant (FRA) to work with an experienced team of educational researchers to improve training and development of informal science professionals. The position is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation’s AISL program. The FRA home will be in the Center for Research for Lifelong STEM Learning.  

A leader in the study of Free-Choice learning and informal science education, the OSU campus sits on 500 acres in Corvallis, Oregon, a vibrant university town of 53,000 in the heart of western Oregon’s Willamette Valley, located about 90 miles south of Portland and one hour from the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains. Corvallis is consistently ranked among the best and safest cities to live in the U.S. as well as among the top ten environmentally responsible and recreational cities in the country.  

Position Summary:

The center has partnered with the Association of Science- Technology Centers, Pacific Science Center, University of Washington Museology Department and the Lifelong Learning Group of COSI Columbus to develop a Professional Framework for the field of informal STEM learning (ISL). The project will address two current and pressing issues: (1) Ensuring that professionals working in science center-type settings have the necessary knowledge and skills to apply the substantial and growing evidence base in ISL, and (2) Understanding and supporting the needs of the full range of ISL professionals during their basic education and at particular points throughout their careers.

The FRA will conduct research and coordination activities towards creation and validation of a theoretically grounded and empirically derived framework for professional growth and learning within the field of informal science learning (ISL). The Framework will be built from qualitative and quantitative empirical analyses of actual practices with staff of science centers and other ISL institutions, assessing perceived and actual needs at various career stages, and an analysis of the creation and use of similar learning frameworks in other professions.

Project goals are to:

    1. Articulate the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed by ISL professionals in adapting research to practice at critical points along their career pathway;
    2. Increase understanding of the degree to which these attributes are valued by ISL professionals and their institutions;
    3. Advance what is known about effective approaches to supporting ISL professional learning and their impact on public engagement in STEM; and
    4. Identify gaps in professional development and support opportunities for ISL professionals, and develop an agenda for advancing a system of coherent professional learning and growth.

Primary Duties:

  • 50%  Conduct research inclusive of survey instrument design, data collection, recruitment and communication with participants, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
  • 20%  Writing, reporting and dissemination of grant reports, white papers, targeted summary reports and manuscripts for peer review. Present findings at conferences and other meetings as determined by supervisor.
  • 20%  Coordinate between the project’s partners, as well as regular meetings and communication of the project team. Design and deliver workshops. Recruit, manage, mentor, and evaluate undergraduate researcher(s).
  • 5%    Obtain training and/or engage with mentors towards enhancing skills directly applicable to the position.
  • 5%    Other duties as assigned.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

  1. Masters Degree or PhD. in Education, FreeChoice Learning, Communications, or related field. Alternately, a Masters or PhD. In natural, physical or applied sciences with education/interpretation coursework or field experience, and/or social science research methods also acceptable.
  2. Demonstrated experience coordinating complex projects with multiple partners.
  3. Demonstrated experience independently designing a conducting research.
  4. Demonstrable ability to use both qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding social science data.
  5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications:

  1. Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity.
  2. Experience as an ISL professional.
  3. Knowledge of institutional infrastructures of science centers, museums, and other informal learning venues.
  4. Experience using survey platforms and data management systems.
  5. Experience conducting case study research in depth interviews and related data analyses.

 Apply:

To read more and apply follow this link: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=426084. To ensure full consideration, applications will need to be received by 10/24/2015. 

Potential Applicants are encouraged to contact Julie.Risien@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-8664 with questions. There may be opportunities to grow this position with additional FTE on related projects. 

Rating: 

0

Categorías de Contenido: 

Tags: