Postdoc Fellow Position: Identity and Instructional Practice of Social Studies Teachers

A postdoctoral research fellow position to work on a multiyear project funded by the James S. McDonnell Foundation is available in the College of Education at Temple University under the guidance of Tim Patterson and Avi Kaplan. The position focuses on identity change in and the instructional practices of social studies teachers.

The project is a collaborative effort with Abby Reisman and Wendy Chan in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. It involves participating teachers as co-researchers of their own professional identity and instructional decision-making about facilitating discussions in their classroom. The project follows participants through their final year in preservice teaching, two years into their teaching practice, and summer institutes. The research involves longitudinal mixed-methods data collection and analyses framed by a complex dynamic systems theory of teacher learning, motivation, and identity change.

The successful candidate will work closely with Drs. Patterson and Kaplan and the Penn team, being mentored in all aspects of the research as well as in generating one’s own research questions and products. Responsibilities include

• collecting and analyzing qualitative data involving interviews, observations, and written narratives;
• engaging in project logistics, such as scheduling data collection and data management;
• interfacing with schools;
• supervising graduate and undergraduate research assistants;
• writing manuscripts and conference proposals; and
• preparing presentations.

Minimum requirements for the postdoctoral research fellow position include

• a PhD (or ABD with expected completion by Summer 2020) in Educational Psychology, Social Studies Education, Teacher Education, or a related field;
• experience in K-12 teaching; and
• experience with qualitative research, particularly narrative interviewing.

Reviews of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit a cover letter describing their background, research goals, and research training, emphasizing their fit with the interests and career goals of the position; a current CV; two writing samples; and the names and contact information for three references.

Apply via email to Tim Patterson, Assistant Professor of Secondary Education and Avi Kaplan, Professor of Educational Psychology
Email:  [email protected] and [email protected]

The College of Education at Temple University is an equal opportunity, equal access, affirmative action employer interested in recruiting diverse faculty and staff.