The VCU School of Education invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in queer and trans studies in education, particularly in critical and queer quantitative methodologies. This fellowship provides opportunities to conduct innovative, equity-centered research, publish scholarship, and prepare grant applications while engaging with a diverse, supportive academic community.
This Postdoctoral Fellowship will focus on queer and trans studies in education, with particular emphasis on queer quantitative methodologies. Working with Dr. Kamden Strunk as the primary supervisor, the Fellow will engage in research projects, grant development, and scholarly writing. Teaching opportunities (up to one course per semester) will be available based on the Fellow’s expertise and interests.
Specific projects on which this Postdoctoral Fellow would work include:
- National Science Foundation funded work to understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ undergraduate STEM majors. This project involves a systematic literature review and multi-phase survey of undergraduate students using QuantQueer methodologies and applying person-centered methodological techniques such as cluster analysis, latent class analysis, and
latent profile analysis. - Developing a national dataset of higher education policies and practices around sexual orientation and gender identity, with the ultimate goal of pairing this with perception-based data from LGBTQ+ students to understand the multilevel interactions of experiences, campus policies and practices, and state-level policies.
- Work to expand and improve the ways that higher education institutions collect and use faculty data around sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Other projects related to queer studies, critical quantitative methodologies (including QuantCrit, QuantQueer, and others), and equity in education as they are available and relevant.
This position will have responsibilities including:
- Conduct systematic literature reviews and literature searches.
- Design and evaluate survey instruments, including item development, content validation,
structural analysis, and validity testing. - Write and publish work related to queer and trans studies in education, as well as critical
quantitative methodologies. - Develop competitive external funding proposals, including foundation and federal grants.
- Participate in mentoring student researchers along with the project PI.
- Teach up to one course per semester, as appropriate to the Fellow’s background and expertise.
As a Postdoctoral Fellowship, the person selected for this position will receive ongoing mentoring with their primary supervisor and other School of Education faculty, in addition to structured training and education opportunities to help them advance their skills. Exact mentoring and professional development plans will be developed in collaboration with Dr. Kamden Strunk after hire to tailor those to the specific skill set and need areas of the selected individual.
This position is grant funded and renewable for two years, assuming adequate performance of the individual hired.
Required Qualifications (must meet all of these requirements)
- Ph.D. in Education or closely related field
- Familiarity with quantitative research methods
- Familiarity with queer and trans studies scholarship
- Experience in writing for publication
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications (these elements would strengthen an application)
- Experience with and knowledge of critical quantitative methodological approaches such as
QuantCrit and QuantQueer - Experience with and knowledge of critical theoretical frameworks
- Experience with developing external funding and grant proposals
Required Materials
- Cover Letter outlining the applicant’s qualifications for the position and reasons for pursuing this fellowship
- Curriculum Vitae
- Writing sample (e.g., recent publication) that highlights the applicant’s communication skills and research abilities
- Names and contact information for three references
This position is eligible for VCU’s full postdoctoral benefits package, which includes options for health insurance, paid leave, retirement plan participation, and more. To learn more about postdoctoral benefits, visit: https://research.vcu.edu/resources/postdoctoral-services/postdoctoral-benefits/
For questions about this position, contact Dr. Kamden Strunk (strunkk2@vcu.edu). We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all “preferred qualifications,” but bring strong skills and a deep commitment to equity-oriented queer and trans educational research.
For full consideration of your application, apply by March 1st, 2025. The position remains open until filled.
Tentative Start Date:
May 15, 2025 or August 15, 2025
Requested Salary Range:
$58,000-$62,000
Salary Range: $58,000- $62,000
Position Details:
Department: SOE Foundations
Employment Type: PD – Post Doc
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 100.00
Exemption Status: Exempt
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Kamden Strunk
Contact Email: strunkk2@vcu.edu