The project aims to serve the national interest by preparing mathematics graduate teaching assistants (MGTAs) to implement teaching practices designed to improve the success of students in undergraduate mathematics courses. The project will develop a multi-year professional development program focused on engaged learning, inclusive teaching, and equity (ELITE-PD). This is a collaborative project that will be implemented at Oregon State University (OSU), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and San Diego State University (SDSU). As a result, the project will have multiple contexts for examining the impact of the professional development on MGTA teaching attitudes and practices, as well as on the success of the undergraduates in the MGTAs’ classes. The project will compare outcomes at the three institutions to generate new knowledge about MGTA professional development, to explore what works in which contexts, and to develop an explicit theory of change related to MGTAs’ teaching practices.

The postdoctoral fellow will play an integral role in collaboratively developing the ELITE-PD program and engaging in data collection and analysis. Duties include, but are not limited to: ● Regularly collaborating, both in person and virtually, with members of the research team at OSU, VCU, and SDSU; ● Conducting semi-structured interviews with graduate students and department faculty and analyzing the interview data; ● Administering surveys from the X-PIPS-M suite and analyzing the survey data; ● Conducting classroom observations using the EQUIP observation tool and analyzing the observation data; ● Presenting results at conferences, symposiums or similar events. ● Teaching graduate courses focused on active learning, inclusive teaching, and equity as part of the ELITE-PD program;

The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral fellow will be conducting mathematics education research; however, this position also involves teaching up to 1 course per semester that is part of the ELITE-PD program. Candidates for these positions should have completed their PhD in mathematics, education, or a related field. A masters in mathematics or a closely related field is required in order to teach graduate courses in the department.

This is a two-year position with the expectation of working in person at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (dependent upon state and university guidance related to COVID-19). A start date of June 1, 2021 is preferred but flexible (through the summer of 2021). The postdoctoral scholar will receive a $55,000 yearly salary plus benefits (with a potential raise during the second year) and travel reimbursement during the second year for presenting at conferences.

As a note, this is a collaborative grant and a second postdoctoral position is available at Oregon State University. If you are interested in working at either institution, please submit an application to both job advertisements. However, you may use the same materials for both applications.

Required Qualifications: ● A PhD. in mathematics, education, or a related field. ● A masters in mathematics or closely related field. ● Experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative educational research. o Quantitative research might include calculating descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, factor analysis, hierarchical linear modeling, etc. o Qualitative research might include conducting thematic analysis, grounded theory, inductive/deductive theory development, etc. ● The ability to assume leadership responsibilities in conducting educational research. ● The ability to work in a collaborative research team in a collegial fashion.

Preferred Qualifications: ● Experience conducting semi-structured interviews, working with the X-PIPS-M survey suite, and/or using the EQUIP observation tool. ● Lived experience and/or service that informs worldviews and/or perspectives about minority group status, to include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and disability. ● Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching mathematics using active, inclusive, and equitable teaching practices.

Special Application Instructions: Applications must submitted through the official university job site at http://www.vcujobs.com/postings/101428. Applications should include a curriculum vita/resume and a letter of application describing 1) experience implementing active, inclusive, and equitable teaching practices and 2) research experience in education (include information on qualitative and/or quantitative research experience). In addition, candidates shall provide three professional and/or academic letters of reference.