Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

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PRiME Center Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Saint Louis University School of Education and SLU PRiME Center is seeking applications for the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate. Successful candidates will conduct applied education policy research for the SLU PRiME Center in the School of Education, serving as data analysts and researchers, while also continuing to work on their own research agendas. Candidates will have the opportunity to lead project teams, provide input on the Center’s research agenda, and assist with the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate research associates.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) will work closely with a large research team (including researchers in the SLU PRiME education policy research center and SLU Education Policy faculty and graduate students) to conduct research on Missouri education. The ideal candidate will have experience conducting program evaluations and designing research projects related to education policy issues.

Responsibilities are centered on designing and carrying out an applied education policy research agenda through the following:

• Conducting applied research on K-12 and/or postsecondary education in Missouri

• Serving in a leadership role by supervising project teams, providing input on the Center’s research agenda, supporting all research projects to completion, and assisting with the mentorship of doctoral students and research associates

• Co-authoring PRiME products to disseminate findings of research to education stakeholders through blogs, policy briefs, reports, and presentations

• Collaborating with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects

• Networking and presenting at conferences to receive feedback on the results of educational research in Missouri

PRiME excels in the creation of research-practice-partnerships. For example, in addition to their direct role with the PRiME Center, the Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) may have the opportunity to be an embedded researcher with organizations such as:

• The Office of Research and Evaluation at Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS)

• The Regional Education Laboratory Central (REL Central)

• The School Research Practice Collaborative in St. Louis (SRPC)

• The Office of Public Charter School Partnerships at Saint Louis University

The Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoctoral Fellow) will be guided and mentored by SLU SOE faculty and senior members of the PRiME team at all stages of research projects. Additionally, research conducted for the PRiME Center has the potential to lead to publications in academic journals. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• An earned doctorate in education research, policy, or a closely related field, with a preference for quantitative research methodology or data analysis. Degree must be conferred prior to start date

• A track record of publication or evidence of strong potential

• Strong commitment to helping underserved students in urban settings

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

• Interest in pursuing and conducting applied and academic research of importance to state legislators, district stakeholders, and schools

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research, with a focus on K-12 or postsecondary education 

• Expertise with statistical analysis software such as STATA, R, SAS, or SPSS

• Methodological expertise in research design, implementation, and analysis

• Experience working on large-scale datasets and collaborating with team members on such projects

• Experience designing and conducting surveys on postsecondary education

• Experience with copy-editing academic or applied research publications

Salary and Starting date: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and includes benefits. This is a two-year term position with a proposed starting date of July 1, 2023. Start date is flexible.

Application Process: Applicants should submit a letter of interest (stating qualifications, policy areas of expertise/interests, and commitment to assisting urban school districts and conducting education policy research), an applied or translational writing sample (policy briefs, blogs, op-eds, etc., are preferred but excerpts of scholarly journal articles and/or dissertations are acceptable), current curriculum vita, and the names and contact information for three references. All applications should be submitted online at Saint Louis University.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For best consideration, all applications should be submitted on or before April 15, 2023.

About SLU PRiME: Over the past decade, the focus of education policymakers has shifted to the point where data and evidence are vital to decision-making. Missouri and the St. Louis region present an interesting case for education research through the growth of the charter school market; shifts in the traditional public school systems; and the implications of these changes for the state’s urban, suburban, and rural districts. Missouri policymakers, school leaders, teachers, and parents are now faced with more data on education than ever before and must grapple with education decisions based on these data. The School of Education at Saint Louis University launched the PRiME Center to serve as a third-party, objective analyst of data and information on education and education-related research. The PRiME Center provides straightforward access to Missouri school data, easily consumable reports and research, and a vital voice in the education decision-making process.

Context: Saint Louis University (SLU), established 1818, is the oldest institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River and is a world-class Catholic, Jesuit institution educating nearly 14,000 students. SLU’s 230-acre urban campus located in midtown Saint Louis, providing students, faculty, and staff a close-knit community in the middle of a lively city. In a 2018 interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education , SLU President Fred Pestello committed the University to doubling its research budget to $100 million and becoming a Carnegie One research institution in the next 7 years. 

The School of Education (SOE) shares in the 470-year-old Jesuit tradition of excellence in education, focusing on the growth of the whole person. The purpose of Jesuit education is to develop men and women for and with others. Saint Louis University, and the School of Education, is committed to intellectual rigor and the use of knowledge for the betterment of our local, national, and international communities.  The School of Education is recognized as a leader in the state and region. More than 30 percent of the public school superintendents in Missouri and 42 percent of all Catholic school leaders in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis hold degrees from SLU. Eighty-five percent of all Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis have leaders who hold a SLU degree.

The Saint Louis metro region is home to nearly 3 million people and provides a mix of midwestern friendliness and large-city amenities.

Vaccine Protocol: Saint Louis University will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, staff, and faculty who are physically present on our St. Louis campuses. As a prospective and/or a new employee at Saint Louis University, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at Saint Louis University. If you are not vaccinated, you will be required to begin the vaccination process at the time of your first day of employment. Exemptions may be granted on the grounds of religious beliefs or medical circumstances. 

Function

Medical Research Primary Appointment 12 mo.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.