The School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) at Utah State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to assist a research team studying elementary students’ development of computational and spatial thinking. Over the research project’s four years, the team will conduct classroom design-based research studies on children’s thinking as they solve coding tasks with robots and other digital technologies. The postdoctoral researcher will serve in a project management role as well as participate in all aspects of the research from data collection to scholarly writing. The postdoctoral researcher can expect strong commitment from their advisors to develop additional research skills and marketability for their career. This is an opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers from mathematics education, instructional technology, learning sciences, and special education.

This position is funded by a National Science Foundation grant and is guaranteed for one year with the option to renew pending satisfactory performance.

This is a full-time position eligible for excellent benefits include: 13 paid holidays, earn 22 days of paid leave and 12 days of sick leave per year, competitive health benefits packages and a generous contribution of 14.2% (without an employee contribution) into your retirement.

Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Jessica Shumway (jessica.shumway@usu.edu).

• Lead and assist in data collection that may include teaching tasks to elementary students, assessing students, observing/memoing and video recording, and interviewing students and teachers
• Lead logistics and communication with schools
• Oversee maintenance of project database
• Perform qualitative video data analysis using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software
• Participate in ongoing academic research, publication and dissemination, grant writing, and other scholarly activities associated with the assigned postdoctoral supervisors
• Provide mentorship to graduate and undergraduate research assistants
• Conceptualize and write high-quality research manuscripts

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned Doctorate in Education, Mathematics Education, Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, or a related field by the time of appointment
• Strong methodological background including some experience with rigorous qualitative research
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong record of high-quality conference presentations and papers
• A record of high-quality published peer-reviewed journal articles
• Prior work or teaching experience with K-12 students, in particular, with elementary students
• Portuguese and/or Spanish language skills

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Curriculum vitae to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. One sample of scholarly writing to be uploaded in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10
3. Contact information for three professional references to be entered in the Candidate Profile
4. Cover letter describing fit for position and a potential research study for the future to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. Standing, walking, and bending, are seldom required.  

The School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) continues its tradition of land-grant outreach, delivering quality teacher education to preservice and in-service cohorts. TEAL offers an array of baccalaureate and graduate degrees, including a distance-delivered doctorate, within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. TEAL provides outreach programs within the University’s Statewide Campuses system, including an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers. TEAL provides the highest number of graduates to become teachers in the state of Utah. The mission of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership is to inspire and prepare effective and reflective educators, scholars, and leaders through dynamic learning experiences; diverse knowledge and thought; school, community, and global engagement; and research and innovation that inform practice. Faculty enjoy collaborative relationships with those in the department as well as other departments in the college.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight academic departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023