PostDoctoral Associate

Job Summary

The Creative Communities research group invites applications for a PostDoctoral Associate to join our project team in conducting qualitative research into the facilitation practices of informal learning educators and how to support equity-oriented facilitation practices.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Creative Communities research group (https://www.creativecommunities.group/) in the Department of Information Science seeks a postdoctoral researcher in areas of informal learning, creative learning experiences with computing, and equity-oriented community design. The postdoc will work directly with Prof. Ricarose Roque and join an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team of researchers and educators across CU Boulder, the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium, and the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at MIT. This initiative is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Making and tinkering spaces have emerged and spread widely across informal learning organizations such as museums, libraries, and community centers. These spaces have a mix of craft, traditional, and emerging computational tools and activities that engage people in project-based, interest-driven, and peer-supported learning experiences. Facilitators play important roles in enabling STEM-learning in making and tinkering spaces, as well as ensuring spaces are welcoming diverse learners from underrepresented groups.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The project team will design and develop “computational tinkering” activities and facilitation resources that help facilitators meaningfully and equitably integrate computational thinking in their practice and their spaces. In addition, we aim to investigate the impact of these resources through a research plan that will examine facilitators’ development as they jointly engage with youth and families in these activities. Our approach to computational tinkering aims to broaden the styles of engaging with computing, providing a more social, physical, and cross-disciplinary alternative to more dominant ways of teaching computing that focus on planning and optimization of a single solution. Computational tinkering activities enable children and families to create their own stories, music, and art using a combination of everyday materials along with programmable lights, motors, and physical sensors to expand the opportunities for exploration and creative expression.

Project directions include but are not limited to:

• Conducting qualitative research into the facilitation practices of informal learning educators and how to support equity-oriented facilitation practices
  
  
• Examining children’s and families’ development of computational tinkering and identities as creators and learners with computing
  
  
• Participating in the research and development of “computational tinkering” activities with project team and network of educators
  
  
• Collaborating with informal learning educators across libraries, museums, and community centers. Additional partners include the ideaLAB network for makerspaces at the Denver Public Library and the Clubhouse Network, an international community of creative technology spaces with more than 100 Clubhouses located in 20 countries
  
  

What We Can Offer

The salary range has been established at $60,000-$65,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

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What We Require

Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. with a research background in learning sciences, design, qualitative research, information science, human-computer interaction, or a related field.

What You Will Need

We also seek candidates that enjoy playfully experimenting and creating with code, craft, and other materials.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:



1. Current resume or curriculum vitae.

2. Cover letter describing your interests in this project.

3. You will need to enter contact information for three (3) references during the application process.

We will request letters of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.

For full consideration, please submit an application by April 15, 2021. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu