Postdoctoral Fellow - Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER)

Job Description:

Syracuse University invites applications for a cohort of Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) Postdoctoral Fellows. These positions offer an exceptional opportunity to conduct STEM education research at Syracuse University in the context of significant regional economic development driven by Micron Technology's semiconductor manufacturing expansion in Central New York. This $100 billion investment is creating approximately 50,000 new jobs and presents unique opportunities for research on STEM workforce development and preparation. We are seeking candidates who can begin their fellowship August 1, 2026, although the exact date is flexible.

Fellows will conduct research on STEM teaching and learning while contributing to undergraduate education in Mathematics, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. This cohort-based program provides opportunities to collaborate with established faculty researchers and to develop skills in research design, grant writing, and publication essential for successful academic careers.

The University is particularly interested in candidates whose research addresses the impact of undergraduate mathematics curriculum on success and retention in STEM disciplines, though applications from all fields of DBER are welcome.

The DBER postdoctoral fellows will hold a 12-month appointment and teach one three-credit course per semester. For candidates who are principal investigators on existing sponsored projects, appointment may also be considered as a Faculty Fellow.

Qualifications:

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM field with training and experience in education research, course design, and implementation of active learning at the undergraduate level, or a Ph.D. in STEM Education or a related field focused on undergraduate teaching and learning with content knowledge in Mathematics, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

Job Specific Qualifications:

Not Applicable

Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct original discipline-based education research in collaboration with faculty mentors across relevant STEM disciplines, present findings at national and regional conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to grant proposal development.
• Teach one three-credit course per semester.
• Contribute to research addressing critical questions in STEM education, including the impact of undergraduate mathematics curriculum on student success and retention in STEM.
• Additional research areas of interest include evidence-based improvements to undergraduate teaching and learning, development and assessment of active learning pedagogies, and course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and cohort-building practices supporting students persistence in STEM careers.

Application Instructions:

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a curriculum vitae, cover letter, and three references.