Job Description

Job Summary:
US Education at FHI 360 is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a new NSF- funded project, \xe2\x80\x9cCollaborative Research: Facilitating Change in Undergraduate STEM: A multidisciplinary, multimethod metasynthesis mapping a decade of growth\xe2\x80\x9d (NSF # 2201792, 2201793, 2201794). In 2011, a subset of the current research team published a synthesis of the literature on change in undergraduate STEM education that set a new standard for understanding change efforts (Henderson, Beach, & Finkelstein, 2011). The goal of this project is to update and expand the prior literature synthesis by conducting a comprehensive metasynthesis of literature in the area of change strategies for improving undergraduate STEM instruction published between 2010 and 2021.

The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in all aspects of this comprehensive literature synthesis and mapping project. We are seeking applicants who have experience and/or interested in systematic reviews, metasynthesis, citation mapping, and STEM education reform. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field (such as science education, DBER, research methods, higher education, etc.). Experience with this project, the topic (metasynthesis with STEM education in undergraduate settings), identifying key words within this specific body of literature, manually searching previous reviews of the literature, and conducting searches for relevant articles within academic databases on this topic is preferred.

Responsibilities:

• 
  Prepares research concepts and proposals following established policies and procedures.
• 
  Lead research and technical assistance tasks on projects, including literature searches, landscape analysis, qualitative data collection and analysis (from focus groups, interviews), and technical report preparation.
• 
  Conducts data analysis, data reviews, and reporting of research data for evaluation and assists with the design and implementation of research studies, including the sampling, recruitment, and statistical analysis.
• 
  Ensures compliance with government regulations when writing and reviewing protocols, analysis plans, reports, and manuscripts.
• 
  Provides input on the design and development of protocols for the interview process, data analysis, study design, and material creation.
• 
  Plans, organizes, and manages resources/processes for successful completion of study goals.
• 
  Lead development of plain language materials, resources, and tools that engage educators, practitioners, and families in research.
• 
  Prepare concise, well written, comprehensible technical reports and manuscripts describing research findings for technical and general audiences, and for clients.
• 
  Contribute to dissemination activities, including presentations, conference posters, issue briefs, technical reports, and manuscripts for a variety of audiences.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• 
  Working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures for conducting education research studies under government regulations.
• 
  A focus on self-regulated learning including the aspects of cognition, metacognition, and motivation, especially in STEM-related fields
• 
  Experience in conducting systematic review studies, following the most recent PRISMA guidelines, and using appropriate methods to calculate effective sizes
• 
  Experience on multiple large-scale funded projects as a doctoral and postdoctoral researcher, a focus on NSF
• 
  Published systematic reviews, including searching and screening relevant literature systematically and synthesizing the findings of the included studies
• 
  Experience in developing psychological measures, designing experimental and quasi-experimental studies, and analysis of data for large-scale funded research projects
• 
  Ability to work collaboratively in iterative cycles of development.
• 
  Experience with continuous improvement models.
• 
  Strong knowledge of software programs used to perform data analysis and reviews.
• 
  Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• 
  Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• 
  Works on problems of moderate scope that require a review of various factors.
• 
  Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• 
  Decisions generally affect own job or specific functional area.

Minimum Requirements

• 
  Bachelor\'s Degree or its International Equivalent in Education, Behavioral, Life or Social Sciences, or related field.
• 
  3-5 years of demonstrated research or evaluation experience, particularly with qualitative research methods in the field of education.
• 
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office, spreadsheet software, and other technology required.
• 
  Facility with data analysis and coding software.
• 
  Articulate, professional with the ability to communicate in a clear, positive fashion with clients and staff.
• 
  Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English.

Typical Physical Demands:
Typical office environment. Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Technology to be Used:
Personal Computer, Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), e-mail, telephone, printer, calculator, copier, cell phones, PDAs and other hand-held devices.

Travel Requirements:
N/A

Posting Language at end of Posting

The expected hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an
equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a
competitive benefits package , professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others \xe2\x80\x94 and yourself.

FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full/part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy. Full vaccination is currently defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson\xe2\x80\x99s Janssen vaccine. Booster doses are not required at this time.