Postdoctoral Fellow: Science Education or Science Studies
Job Description
STEM education research on inclusive environments and interdisciplinary STEM research is growing. As the field continues to reflect dynamic communities and community research priorities, this novel post-doctoral program seeks to bring to the center critical frameworks. Through a thematic of “Queering STEM Education” we propose to bring together a cohort of STEM education and science studies scholars who take seriously critical frameworks of queer, decolonial, transnational, and / or intersectionality. To queer is to offer a critique, to contest the “naturalization of the categories of normal and deviant sexuality and binarized notions of sexed anatomy, gender identity, sexual desire, and sexual identity” (Thinking with Kristina Gupta and David Rubin 2021). To bring to the center analytics that are historically on the margins of STEM research, is, so to speak, a queering endeavor. Therefore, to queer STEM is truly an interdisciplinary and methodological complex undertaking. That is, to queer is to contend with the norms with how one does research, the modalities of research, the subjects in research, and the research questions asked that further how we come to know what counts as STEM. As conveyed by Jin Haritaworn a queer methodology “only works if we know where we stand, where we are trying to go, and whom we are trying to take with us” (Haritaworn 2017). As fields of STEM seek to diversify, it is ever more pressing through a cohort model of scholars that we also to take seriously how research is done, and how a next generation of scholars are supported and trained to cross disciplines.
Ideal candidates include individuals who graduated with a PhD in the past 4 years, and whose research includes:
Discipline-based education researchers (DBER) interested in queering their methodologies or bringing into their research queer analytics.
Science studies scholars who bring into their research queer methods or frameworks.
Interdisciplinary scholars who bring to the center of their research STEM related fields.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding this pioneering STEM program with a $1.25 million award. Learn more at: https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/diversifying-stem-education-research/
Ideal candidates include individuals who graduated with a PhD in the past 4 years, and whose research includes:
Discipline-based education researchers (DBER) interested in queering their methodologies or bringing into their research queer analytics.
Science studies scholars who bring into their research queer methods or frameworks.
Interdisciplinary scholars who bring to the center of their research STEM related fields.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding this pioneering STEM program with a $1.25 million award. Learn more at: https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/diversifying-stem-education-research/
Responsibilities
Program overview
This two-year program will train fellows in formal queer frameworks in science education, with research rotations with critical studies and science education scholars, that will lead to the completion of a research project during the two-year fellowship (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2026).
Development and training. Postdoctoral fellows will work with the Co-PIs on their individual academic plan. The program will include a speaker series bringing in experts from across the country, a special journal edition on queering STEM, paid attendance at three conferences, and a final symposium. Fellows will participate in professional development curriculum to learn about applying to faculty jobs, professional networking, grant writing, time management and more. The goal is to prepare future faculty in queer methodologies to be more inclusive and expert scholars. Fellows will be in residence in Utah during the program and work in person. Opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers and teach, available to postdoctoral fellows who individual academic plan reflects desires to teach and mentor as part of their development.
Research. Fellows will have the option to: (1) investigate a small piece of a Utah faculty member’s project while applying a queer lens or (2) bring their own project, with data already collected, to queer. Prospective fellow application materials should specify whether they want to work on a faculty member’s project or bring their own data from their dissertation work or beyond (Information on the potential faculty mentors and projects are below). Postdoctoral fellows will also experience mentoring opportunities from the project’s advisory board.
Total Compensation: $79,940 ($70,000 salary, $9,940 in retirement), healthcare and vacation annually.
Travel Support: Three conferences paid for, two with research mentors and one of the fellow’s choice.
In addition to compensation, fellows will receive $3,000 in research funds for their project as well as the opportunity to mentor an undergraduate assistant. The program will also support the postdoctoral fellow with travel to three conferences (two with research mentors).
Reporting structure. The fellows will report to both (1) Dr. Ramón Barthelemy (physics and astronomy) and (2) Dr. Annie Fukushima (Ethnic Studies) as well as their rotation and permanent mentors.
Application instructions: Include a cover letter, curriculum vita, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Applicant cover letters should include a description of which mentor(s) and why this mentor, or a description of project/data to be analyzed during the fellowship. Materials can be submitted to Ramon.S.Barthelemy@Utah.Edu with the subject line “Queering STEM Education Application.” The applications will be reviewed by both Drs. Barthelemy and Fukushima. Deadline: April 1, 2023.
This two-year program will train fellows in formal queer frameworks in science education, with research rotations with critical studies and science education scholars, that will lead to the completion of a research project during the two-year fellowship (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2026).
Development and training. Postdoctoral fellows will work with the Co-PIs on their individual academic plan. The program will include a speaker series bringing in experts from across the country, a special journal edition on queering STEM, paid attendance at three conferences, and a final symposium. Fellows will participate in professional development curriculum to learn about applying to faculty jobs, professional networking, grant writing, time management and more. The goal is to prepare future faculty in queer methodologies to be more inclusive and expert scholars. Fellows will be in residence in Utah during the program and work in person. Opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers and teach, available to postdoctoral fellows who individual academic plan reflects desires to teach and mentor as part of their development.
Research. Fellows will have the option to: (1) investigate a small piece of a Utah faculty member’s project while applying a queer lens or (2) bring their own project, with data already collected, to queer. Prospective fellow application materials should specify whether they want to work on a faculty member’s project or bring their own data from their dissertation work or beyond (Information on the potential faculty mentors and projects are below). Postdoctoral fellows will also experience mentoring opportunities from the project’s advisory board.
Total Compensation: $79,940 ($70,000 salary, $9,940 in retirement), healthcare and vacation annually.
Travel Support: Three conferences paid for, two with research mentors and one of the fellow’s choice.
In addition to compensation, fellows will receive $3,000 in research funds for their project as well as the opportunity to mentor an undergraduate assistant. The program will also support the postdoctoral fellow with travel to three conferences (two with research mentors).
Reporting structure. The fellows will report to both (1) Dr. Ramón Barthelemy (physics and astronomy) and (2) Dr. Annie Fukushima (Ethnic Studies) as well as their rotation and permanent mentors.
Application instructions: Include a cover letter, curriculum vita, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Applicant cover letters should include a description of which mentor(s) and why this mentor, or a description of project/data to be analyzed during the fellowship. Materials can be submitted to Ramon.S.Barthelemy@Utah.Edu with the subject line “Queering STEM Education Application.” The applications will be reviewed by both Drs. Barthelemy and Fukushima. Deadline: April 1, 2023.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
Applicants with a PhD earned in the past 4 years are encouraged to apply, with candidates from STEM, social sciences, education, science and technology studies, and humanities strongly considered. This fellowship is designed for recent graduates with an interest in faculty careers at research intensive universities.
Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
To inquire about this posting, email: employment@utah.edu or call 801-581-2300.
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
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Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
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Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you meet the minimum qualifications of the position as specified in the job posting?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter
- Letter of Recommendation 1
- Letter of Recommendation 2
- Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample 1
- Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only - Call 801.581.2169 after submission
- Appropriate discharge document (such as a DD-214 – Member Copy 4) – Veteran Only – Call 801.581.2169
- Letter of Recommendation 3
- Applicant Document - Other
Open Date
01/15/2024
Requisition Number
PRN37299B
Job Title
Post Doc Fellow w/Ret
Working Title
Postdoctoral Fellow: Science Education or Science Studies
Job Grade
A00
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
M-F 8AM-5PM
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
00127 - Physics and Astronomy
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
70000
Close Date
04/01/2024
Open Until Filled
No
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