The Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh is accepting applications for two Postdoctoral Fellowships in youth development and learning across multiple ecological contexts with an emphasis on diversity, opportunity, and equity. The initial appointment will be two years with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The position involves work on several multi-method longitudinal studies exploring how sociocultural and psychological factors influence youth of color’s identity development, academic learning, and socioemotional well-being during middle childhood and adolescence. In particular, the fellow will work on multi-jurisdictional, longitudinal datasets collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine the individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors that mitigate or worsen the impact of school disruptions on youth’s academic adjustment and mental health, especially for those from historically marginalized and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The work takes an interdisciplinary approach and applies questions and methods from developmental science to elementary and secondary school settings. Applicants must have a doctorate and a track record of publication, substantive knowledge and background in the field of child/adolescent development, prevention/intervention, or learning science, and excellent academic writing and analytic skills. Expertise is necessary in theory, methods, and research framed by dynamic, relational processes of the positive development of diverse youth (particularly youth who have experienced adversity and challenge), in strength-based approaches to research design and program evaluation. Strong quantitative skills (e.g., HLM, SEM, and growth modeling) and experience with longitudinal datasets are preferred.
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, and 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 are a good match for the position, (2) Curriculum Vitae, (3) one writing sample, (4) three letters of reference to Talent Center.
Reviews of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application no later than 6/30/2022. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Ming-Te Wang, at mtwang@pitt.edu.
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.