Postdoctoral Scholar – University of Oregon

The Department of Education Studies at the University of Oregon (UO) is pleased to announce a postdoctoral position exploring the intersection of biological and cognitive mechanisms of motivation for learning. Studies will focus on examining students’ motivation for learning STEM content through biological markers and survey research methodologies. Social Cognitive Theory and Control Value theory will be the foundation of this work. The UO’s Education Studies department provides an opportunity to engage in basic research in motivation for learning STEM and the application of that work to teacher education.  The purpose of the position is to provide post-doctoral scholars with training and experience within the realm of physiological and biological measures of emotion and motivation related to STEM learning; training and experience that will endow a post-doctoral colleague with skills increasingly in demand at institutions of higher learning.  Strong attention will be given to providing the candidate with experiences and support that will enable them to fortify their research profile.  The position is a limited duration (9 month) appointment.  The anticipated start date is January 2017 and would potentially be renewable for 3 academic years.

The College of Education at the UO is one of the highest ranked colleges of education in the United States and has a strong tradition of scholarship, outreach, and impact at local, state, national, and global levels. We are a community of scholars devoted to scholarly excellence and creating a learning and research environment that seeks diverse perspectives, demands equity, and fosters inclusion.  We have a dozen research centers and institutes (https://education.uoregon.edu/research) and a highly research-active faculty that consistently ranks among the top in the nation. Our faculty conduct innovative research and scholarship in education and the clinical sciences and are national and international leaders in prevention science, school-based intervention, research methods, and measurement designed to improve educational and social service systems for all.  Faculty are also devoted to inspiring and mentoring the approximately 1500 undergraduate and graduate students who comprise the College and who will be the next generation of educational leaders.  We look forward to welcoming a post-doctoral scholar in the broad area of Educational Psychology to join this vibrant, successful, and collaborative faculty who produce scholarship that serves our schools and local, national, and global communities by addressing our most significant social problems.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology or a related discipline or must show evidence that the Ph.D. will be completed before the start of the position
• Strong quantitative skills and prior research experience in motivation for learning
• Evidence of a minimum of 4 years of scholarship and/or coursework in Educational Research, Psychology or related field
• Evidence of ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff and students of diverse backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written communication skills
• A strong interest in developing excellence in translational, interdisciplinary scholarship and research at the intersection of educational psychology and STEM education
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Salary range:   $50,000 – $60,000

To Apply:  Electronically submit:

1. A letter explaining why you’re interested in the position, what you could contribute to the project, and what you hope to gain from the experience (no more than 2 pages)
2. A current curriculum vita
3. A statement of general research interests (no more than 2 pages and need not be specific to the projects described above)
4. Names of three professional references, including their current position, relationship to you, and phone and email contact information.

Submit your materials electronically to EDSTsearch@uoregon.edu. If you have any questions about this position contact PI Jenefer Husman, PhD, associate professor, Education Studies at jhusman@uoregon.edu  or (480)540-4506.  Questions about administrative aspects of the search process can be directed to Amy Green at EdSTsearch@uoregon.edu.  To ensure consideration, submit materials by October 31, 2016. Review will continue until positions are filled.