Evaluator and STEM Education Researcher

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Evaluator and STEM Education Researcher (ESER) is experienced in all aspects of program evaluation and STEM education research as well as familiar with STEM education, training, and outreach projects that serve K-Gray, community college students, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at UCSB and other institutions or off campus organizations. The ESER has a strong understanding of the academic culture and a proven track record for collaborating effectively with STEM faculty, particularly in physical science and engineering fields. The ESER is responsible for designing and implementing evaluation and education research plans for proposals, developing appropriate evaluation and education research tools and tracking protocols, conducting appropriate quantitative and qualitative analyses, and preparing reports and disseminating research findings. The ESER operates with a high level of independence under the general supervision of CSEP Evaluation and Assessment Program Manager, Dr. Lubella Lenaburg.

Duties Include:
Evaluation and STEM Education Research

• Design evaluation and STEM education research plans for projects as needed at the proposal stage or once funded, in consultation with faculty PIs and/or project coordinators.
• Implement evaluation and STEM education research plans as needed, developing necessary surveys and protocols and collecting relevant data via surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other sources. Attend meetings and observe activities as needed.
• For evaluation: Prepare formative and summative reports and presentations that advise faculty PIs and project coordinators on project impacts, strengths, and weaknesses. Reports will be used by PIs and project coordinators to assess and modify ongoing programs and to design new projects and proposals that are consistent with the education research goals of the respective programs.
• For STEM education research: Prepare reports, journal papers, and presentations on research findings.

CSEP Infrastructure Support and Intern Management

• Assist with hiring and mentoring of CSEP Evaluation Interns who work on evaluation or STEM education research projects.
• Help develop documentation and trainings for streamlining the onboarding of interns to the team and projects.
• Attend CSEP Evaluation Team Meetings and CSEP Group Meetings

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• MA in Science Education Undergraduate degree in a physical science or engineering field

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• At least 5 years prior experience leading STEM education research projects
• At least 5 years prior quantitative and qualitative evaluation experience with STEM education, training, and outreach projects funded by state and federal agencies and private foundations
• At least 5 years experience evaluating projects that serve groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
• Demonstrated coding skills in PHP, HTML, mySQL, and JavaScript for developing online forms for data collection, the applicant's response to questions relating to the coding languages.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in Science Education
• Experience tracking program participants
• Demonstrated track record of working with STEM faculty, particularly in physical sciences and engineering
• Experience writing proposal for Federal and State agencies, as well as private foundations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of a broad diversity of university STEM departments and academic culture
• Demonstrated ability to manage tight and competing deadlines, supervise student interns, manage budgets, and work in a collaborative environment

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Sample Project - Coding - Applicants should submit examples of relevant projects that highlight their coding expertise. These documents will be reviewed for finalists. If not submitted at the time of application, finalists will be asked to submit them at the time of interview. (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only) Applicants are required to provide names and contact information of 3 references. In the event that an applicant is selected as the finalist, the department will conduct a reference check before extending an offer of employment.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02340
Help contact: nau@research.ucsb.edu