Virginia Commonwealth University, Mathematics

Position ID: VCU-PD [#19982]
Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Position Type: Postdoctoral
Position Location: Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Area: Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Application Deadline: 2022/07/01 11:59PMhelp popup finished (2022/05/03, finished 2023/01/07, listed until 2022/11/03)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

Position Responsibilities: 
The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) seeks a postdoctoral fellow for the NSF-funded project Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistant Professional Development Focused on Implementation of Evidence-based Teaching Practices (DUE-2013422). 

The project aims to serve the national interest by preparing mathematics graduate teaching assistants 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 graduate teaching assistants’ teaching attitudes and practices, as well as on the success of the undergraduates in their classes. The project will compare outcomes at the three institutions to generate new knowledge about graduate student professional development, to explore what works in which contexts, and to develop an explicit theory of change related to their 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;
Planning and teaching graduate courses focused on active learning, inclusive teaching, and equity as part of the ELITE-PD program;
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 observation tools, e.g. TRU Math, EQUIP, and analyzing the observation data; 
Presenting results at conferences, symposiums or similar events. 

The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral fellow will be conducting mathematics education research; however, this position also requires teaching up to 1 graduate 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 an up to three-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 August 10, 2022 is preferred but flexible. The postdoctoral scholar will receive a $55,000 yearly salary plus benefits (with a potential raise during the second and third year) and travel reimbursement for presenting at conferences. 

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. 
Quantitative research might include survey design, calculating descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, factor analysis, hierarchical linear modeling, etc.
Qualitative research might include interview development, 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 survey and observation tools such as X-PIPS-M, TRU Math, and EQUIP. 
Lived experience, research, 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. 

Applications must be submitted through the official university job site at https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1604?c=vcu . 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 mathematics education (include information on qualitative and/or quantitative research experience). In addition, candidates shall provide three professional and/or academic letters of reference submitted in MathJobs.

For best consideration, apply by June 1, 2022. For more information, contact Rebecca Segal (the PI at VCU) at rasegal@vcu.edu

Please follow the link below for more information about the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at VCU. Math Department: https://math.vcu.edu/ 

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. 

Salary Range: $55,000

Position Details: 
Department: Department of Mathematics 
Employment Type: PD - Post Doc Restricted 
Status: Yes FTE: 1.00
Exemption Status: Exempt 

Contact Information: 
Contact Name: Rebecca Segal 
Contact Email: rasegal@vcu.edu 
Contact Phone: 804-828-1301

Application Materials Required:
Submit the following item online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1604?c=vcu
email address
804-828-1301
 
1015 Floyd Avenue
Box 842014
Richmond,VA
23284