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Postdoctoral Position in Early Childhood STEM Education
The CRRAFT (Culturally Relevant Robotics: A Family-Teacher) Partnership Project is a research-practice partnership between researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and teachers, coaches, administrators, and families at two Title I preschools in Knoxville, TN, funded by the National Science Foundation. Combining design-based implementation research with community participatory research, we are co-designing a culturally relevant robotics program to support Black and Latinx preschoolers to develop computational thinking and a sense of belonging in computer science. The project is led by Professors Frances K. Harper, Lori Caudle, and Margaret Quinn and consists of a dynamic team of student researchers and community partners.
We seek a postdoctoral fellow to further the research and development work of the project. This fellowship will provide opportunities for a junior researcher to contribute to the project’s goals while developing a range of research skills. CRRAFT bridges the divide between early childhood STEM learning and teacher and family instructional development, enabling the fellow to develop a broad perspective on the process of supporting STEM instructional improvement in urban schools.
The project is based in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, a leading educational research institution, located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Applicants should have a completed doctoral degree in STEM education, early childhood education, urban education, or a related field. Preferred qualifications include experience working with Black or Latinx children and families, expertise in culturally relevant pedagogy, computer science education with robotics, and Spanish language proficiency.
This position is a full-time, twelve-month appointment with a salary of $50,000, with health/dental insurance, a travel allowance, and other benefits. At UTK, we strive to provide eligible employees with a comprehensive suite of benefits. For complete information about insurance, retirement, and other available benefits, visit the UT System HR Benefits website. This position is for up to two years, contingent upon mutual agreement and satisfactory performance in year one.
The application review will begin December 1, 2020, and the position start date is July 1, 2021.
Applicants should send a detailed CV, a cover letter explaining interest and expertise related to the project, as well as the names and contact information of three references. Please direct all inquiries to Dr. Frances Harper at francesharper@utk.edu
Submit your application here: tiny.utk.edu/CRRAFTpostdoc Closing Date: December 1, 2020
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.