The School of Education, Department of Psychology, and Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at University of Pittsburgh is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in child/adolescent development with an emphasis on temperament, motivation, non-cognitive skills, and learning. The initial appointment will be one year with the possibility of renewal for a second and third year. The position involves work on several research projects exploring how sociocultural contexts and psychological beliefs influence academic, behavioral, and socioemotional development of children and youth from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Applicants must have a PhD and a track record of publication in psychology or education, substantive knowledge and background in the field of developmental psychology, child/adolescent development, achievement motivation and learning, and excellent academic writing and interpersonal skills. Strong quantitative skills (e.g., HLM, SEM, and growth modeling) and experience with large-scale longitudinal datasets are preferred.

The work takes an interdisciplinary approach and applies questions and methods from psychological and prevention science to elementary and secondary school settings. The fellow will receive strong mentoring with well-established scholars focused on the demanding aspects of producing high quality scholarship. The fellow will be expected to build a research program by formulating research questions, generating research designs, writing grants, conducting analysis, writing and presenting findings.

To apply for this position, please submit (1) a cover letter describing your research goals and training, including why your background and interests as a good match for the position, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) two writing samples, (4) three letters of reference to http://www.education.pitt.edu/facultysearch/.  The online system will prompt applicants to request three letters of recommendation, directly.

Reviews of applications will begin on 9/1 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Ming-Te Wang, at mtwang@pitt.edu.

As of 2014, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Pittsburgh School of Education as one of the “Best Graduate Schools in Education”. LRDC is an internationally renowned center with the aim of promoting basic and applied research on learning in its cognitive, neural, social, and motivational aspects and to make research and human development links to formal and informal settings. Pittsburgh is repeatedly voted among “The Most Livable City”, with affordable cost of living and access to a wide array of seasonal recreation opportunities, professional and collegiate athletic events, and a vibrant cultural district.