Research Coordinator Jobs in Engineering Education

🔍 What is a Research Coordinator?

A Research Coordinator, often abbreviated as RC, is a pivotal professional in higher education who oversees the execution of research projects. This role involves managing timelines, budgets, and teams to ensure studies run efficiently and comply with ethical standards. Unlike administrative staff, Research Coordinators actively bridge principal investigators (PIs), researchers, and participants. In academic settings, they handle everything from participant recruitment to data integrity, playing a key role in producing publishable outcomes. The position has evolved since the mid-20th century, when federally funded research surged post-World War II, necessitating dedicated coordinators to manage growing complexities by the 1980s.

For a broader view on research positions, explore research jobs across academia.

Engineering Education: Definition and Context

Engineering Education refers to the academic discipline focused on researching, developing, and evaluating effective methods for teaching and learning engineering principles. It encompasses curriculum design, assessment techniques, and strategies to enhance student engagement and diversity in engineering fields. This specialty addresses how to prepare students for real-world challenges like sustainable design and emerging technologies.

In relation to a Research Coordinator, the role centers on coordinating studies that innovate engineering pedagogy—such as active learning experiments or equity-focused interventions. For instance, coordinators might lead projects analyzing flipped classrooms in mechanical engineering programs, drawing from global efforts like those supported by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) since its founding in 1893.

Roles and Responsibilities in Engineering Education

Research Coordinators in Engineering Education manage multifaceted projects, including:

• Developing research protocols for studies on engineering student outcomes.
• Securing and administering grants from bodies like the National Science Foundation (NSF).
• Coordinating multi-site collaborations, such as international comparisons of engineering curricula.
• Analyzing data using tools like SPSS to evaluate teaching innovations.
• Ensuring compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines for human subjects research.

They often disseminate findings through conferences or journals, contributing to fields like inclusive engineering education amid challenges noted in recent engineering graduates' job market trends.

🎓 Required Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

Academic Qualifications

A Master's degree in Engineering Education, Engineering with an education focus, or a related field is typically required; a PhD is preferred for senior roles, enabling deeper involvement in grant leadership.

Research Focus or Expertise Needed

Expertise in areas like STEM pedagogy, curriculum assessment, or diversity in engineering. Familiarity with frameworks such as ABET accreditation standards is valuable.

Preferred Experience

2-5 years in research administration, including grant management (e.g., NSF or ERC proposals) and 3+ publications in journals like the Journal of Engineering Education.

Skills and Competencies

• Project management proficiency (e.g., Agile or PMP certified).
• Strong analytical skills for qualitative and quantitative data.
• Excellent communication for stakeholder engagement.
• Technical savvy with software like MATLAB for simulations or NVivo for interviews.

To stand out, build a strong profile by volunteering on campus studies or attending ASEE events. Craft a standout application with advice from how to write a winning academic CV.

Career Insights and Actionable Advice

These roles offer stability and impact, with opportunities growing due to demands for evidence-based teaching reforms. Globally, positions abound in the US (e.g., at MIT's engineering education labs), Europe (via EU-funded initiatives), and Australia (focusing on industry partnerships). To advance, network via LinkedIn groups, pursue certifications, and track publications. Transitioning from roles like postdocs? Thrive with strategies from postdoctoral success guides.

Definitions:

• Principal Investigator (PI): The lead researcher responsible for the project's scientific direction.
• Institutional Review Board (IRB): An ethics committee that reviews research involving human subjects.
• ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, setting global engineering program standards.

In summary, Research Coordinator jobs in Engineering Education blend management and scholarship to shape future engineers. Discover broader opportunities in higher ed jobs, expert guidance via higher ed career advice, targeted openings at university jobs, or advertise positions through post a job on AcademicJobs.com.