Postdoctoral Researcher in NC-Chapel-Hill, United States

Employment Type: Postdoctoral Scholar

Vacancy ID: PDS004202

Position Summary/Description:

The School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Informal Learning in Science Education. This is a full-time research position supported by an NSF Award. The successful candidate would join a team intent on developing and researching effects of curricular learning supports for educators and students associated with interactive museum exhibits.

The postdoctoral researcher will coordinate efforts between researchers in Learning Sciences/Science Education and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center ( MPSC ). The candidate will help Learning Sciences/Science Education researchers study, using a design-based research approach, school-aged children’s and educators’ engagement with MPSC exhibits, and contribute to the development and testing of curricular resources. The candidate will play a central role in the collection and analysis of structured and unstructured data from museum visitors’ interactions with exhibits. Examples of potential scholarship include research on student learning in informal environments; K-12 educator engagement with informal learning environments; and the impact of informal learning environments on the development of adolescents’ science knowledge and identity. Additional details about the project scope can be found at DRL – AISL 1906686 (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1906686&HistoricalAwards=false)

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to an established scope of work related to NSF Award DRL – AISL 1906686 including following a design-based research ( DBR ) approach to researching effects of museum visitors’ interactions with exhibits and developing curricular learning resources aligned with MPSC exhibits. The postdoctoral researcher will (a) contribute to study design and implementation of research studies; (b) coordinate and carry out data collection at informal learning sites, © contribute to the design, development, and testing of curricular resources; and (e) contribute to dissemination of project output to academic, higher education, and practitioner audiences. Opportunities to pursue or continue related academic activities are negotiable.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Education and Experience:

Experience with science educational research

Interest and/or experience in informal learning environments

Interest and/or experience in curricular or instructional design in science education

AA/EEO Statement:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.