Faculty recruitment
University of California, San Diego
Education Studies
Position Announcement
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Pathways to Postsecondary
Education Plus (PSE+) Project
The Education Studies program at the
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has an opening for a Post-Doctoral
Research Scholar with a preferred start date of February 1, 2010.
Appointment length: One year, with possibility of a one-year extension
depending on program needs and funding.
Project Description:
The
PSE+ is a five-year project funded by the Gates Foundation. Under the
direction of Principal Investigator Amanda Datnow, the project team
at UCSD is conducting a coordinated, multi-method set of studies of
low-income 16-26 year olds who are not on-track to attain a post-secondary
credential with value in the labor market. These studies will produce
new and useful knowledge about multiple segments of this population,
and in particular about the opportunities and obstacles to post-secondary
education in their lives and communities. In addition to informing
PSE+, the findings of these studies can advance the research and policy
agenda on US poverty, and ultimately help reduce poverty and expand
opportunity for low-income young people of color.
Responsibilities Include:
- Co-lead the Riverside case study research (e.g. work with programs, community organizations and higher education institutions for participant recruitment; collect data with team; conduct analysis and write up reports).
- Prepare written summaries of qualitative and quantitative data analyses.
- Aid in preparing quarterly and annual research reports and policy briefs.
- Support development of manuscripts for journal submission.
- Support presentation of findings at professional conferences, funder meetings, and other professional venues.
- Co-lead weekly team meetings.
- Organize and facilitate the literature review.
- Assist the Director of Research with the oversight and coordination for the overall study (e.g. ensure objectives and deadlines are being met; assisting with day-to-day logistics of managing the project).
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in education or related field
- Knowledge of post-secondary education and/or poverty desired.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Southern California communities, including Riverside, preferred.
- Two to four years of experience working in the university setting and/or on research projects that are engaged in education, community and/or policy arenas.
- A solid understanding of basic quantitative and advanced qualitative research required.
- Demonstrated skill in working as part of a team; ability to closely collaborate with colleagues.
- Experience working in academic settings. Understanding the research process and the academic work of faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students is critical to this job.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills in copyediting, writing reports and deliverables that are suitable for publication in professional journals and/or meet the requirements of the Gates Project grant.
- Demonstrated ability to make oral group presentations to present project information and explain the methods and the meaning of the work being done.
- Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload and pressure. Ability to multi-task and prioritize with little supervision.
- Ability to plan work to maximize use of resources and to complete work in a timely and effective manner.
- Demonstrated skill in analyzing information, problems, situations, practices, or procedures to define a problem or objective; identify relevant concerns or factors; identify patterns, tendencies and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recognize alternatives and their implications; conduct both research and evaluations using these skills.
- Ability to travel to sites within and outside the state to represent the Project as required by the research or at the request of the Co-Principal Investigators.
A description of UCSD Education Studies
may be found at http://eds.ucsd.edu.
Salary will be commensurate
with experience and qualifications, based on UC pay scales.
Closing Date: October 19th,
2009 or until filled.
To Apply: Applicants should
submit a letter of interest that describes their training and research
experience. In addition, applicants should provide a curriculum
vita, and the names, email and addresses of three references. Applicants
are welcome to include any other relevant materials. Applications may be submitted electronically
(in PDF format), with documents emailed to Sheila Keegan, Program Coordinator,
at skeegan@ucsd.edu, or alternately, a hardcopy may be mailed
to:
Sheila Keegan, Program Coordinator
Education Studies
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive #0070
La Jolla, CA 92093-0070
For questions about the position,
contact Principal Investigator Amanda Datnow at adatnow@ucsd.edu
UCSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff.
