"Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology Education Research, Fall 2025"

Job Details

The Chapman Biology Education Research Lab (https://sites.chapman.edu/chapmanber/) at Schmid College of Science and Technology of Chapman University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in biology education research.

The position is funded by a National Science Foundation grant (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2345357&HistoricalAwards=false) that aims to improve student engagement in STEM course office hours. The postdoctoral research fellow will contribute to a collaborative, interdisciplinary project that will elucidate best practices for office hours design and other educational interventions. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be based at Chapman University and will join a vibrant STEM education research community at Chapman. In addition, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will also work closely with faculty at UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, Santa Barbara City College, and other institutions.

Chapman University, located in the heart of Orange County, California, offers traditional undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences and select pre-professional and graduate programs. The university is a nationally ranked R2 research institution with a commitment to excellence through world-class research and innovative teaching. Science and engineering programs at Chapman are growing rapidly and are housed in the brand new Keck Center for Science and Engineering. More information is available here: www.chapman.edu/keckcenter.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Project Development and Implementation:
  • Take a leadership role in the development and testing of data collection tools, including surveys and focus group protocols for both students and instructors.
  • Oversee data collection efforts across multiple institutions, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
  • Facilitate discussions and workshops during retreats and meetings, guiding the design of evidence-based interventions.
  • Coordinate the preparation and deployment of interventions, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Collaborative Engagement:
  • Work closely with a team of faculty, instructors, and institutional partners to foster a collaborative learning community, including organizing and facilitating sessions and managing logistics and communications for the community.
  • Participate in the hiring and onboarding of research assistants and support staff, ensuring effective integration into the project.
  • Develop and maintain the project website.
• Research and Analysis:
  • Lead the analysis of collected data, identifying key trends and insights to inform project strategies.
  • Prepare and present research findings at conferences and workshops, contributing to the broader dissemination of best practices in STEM education.
  • Lead manuscript development for publications in peer reviewed outlets.
• Mentorship and Professional Development:
  • Mentor junior researchers and contribute to their professional growth.
  • Engage in professional development opportunities, including travel to relevant conferences and workshops.
• Travel:
  • Will be responsible for in person data collection across multiple CA sites.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• A PhD, EdD, or equivalent degree in a field that is STEM and/or education focused. Degree must be awarded in the last 5 years.
• Per NSF guidelines, applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in biology and/or STEM education research
• Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• A strong background in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, with experience in designing, implementing, and analyzing surveys and focus groups
• Experience and/or potential to mentor students of various levels

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Interfolio:

1. A cover letter (no more than two pages) detailing your interest in the position, relevant experience, and career goals.
2. A current CV.
3. Contact information for three professional references. We may solicit letters of reference for short-listed candidates.
4. Description of past research experiences, current research interests, and engagement with STEM education research (1-2 pages)
5. A sample of your academic writing (e.g., a published article with you as a lead author; a dissertation chapter; etc.)

Review of applications will begin September 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Please address any questions to Dr. Jeremy Hsu at hsu@chapman.edu.

Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. This position is subject to final budget approval and is contingent upon continued funding from the National Science Foundation. The full-time annual salary for this position is $70,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.