"Postdoctoral Scholar - Expressive STEM Centers (ESC) Research Collective"

Job Posting Number:

2026076NTL

Position Description

The ESC Research Collective is a National Science Foundation-funded research project that investigates how intergenerational, family-driven STEM learning fosters imagination, creative confidence, and belonging. Located in Central Texas and anchored at the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, the project partners with libraries, cultural centers, and community groups to create Expressive STEM Centers—intergenerational learning hubs where families engage with robotics, coding, circuits, environmental science, and storytelling.

This work is situated in STEM education research with a focus on informal learning, multimodal literacies, and participatory action research. The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in coordinating the project’s research infrastructure, supporting undergraduate facilitation, and contributing to dissemination, while also pursuing flexible contributions that align with their strengths.

Core Responsibilities (Highest Priority)

1. Research Pipeline Coordination:
   • Manage intake and organization of multimodal data (surveys, micro-interviews, ripple-tracking, video, ethnographic notes, portfolios).
   • Ensure data is IRB-compliant, well-documented, and ready for analysis.
   • Collaborate with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) to prepare and structure data streams for advanced analysis.
2. Research Tool Development (Collaborative):
   • Partner with PI team and TACC to adapt, test, and refine operational research tools.
   • Pilot tools with undergraduates and research team members prior to broader community use.
   • Document performance of tools and recommend refinements to strengthen reliability and prevalence.
3. Undergraduate Facilitation System (Flexible Focus: Training or Operations):
   • Support recruitment, preparation, and mentoring of undergraduate facilitators.
   • Option to co-lead training workshops (pedagogy, facilitation, ethics, research practices).
   • Option to coordinate operations (scheduling, assignments, reporting structures).
   • Reinforce reflection and documentation practices among undergraduate facilitators as part of the participatory action research framework.

Additional Responsibilities (Dependent on Candidate Strengths)

4. Strengths-Based Contributions:
   • Language/Translation: If bilingual, support translation of research tools, consent forms, and dissemination materials (English ↔ Spanish).
   • Digital/Design Tools: If skilled in design/technology, help maintain project websites, digital portfolios, or visual collateral for dissemination.
   • Social Media/Outreach: If experienced, assist with public-facing communication strategies alongside the project coordinator.
   • Specialized Sub-study: Pursue a research thread aligned with the postdoc’s expertise (e.g., undergraduate facilitation as expressive STEM learning, translation practices, or design-based dissemination).
5. Scholarly Contributions:
   • Dissemination and Leadership
   • Co-author and lead publications on methodological innovation, multimodal data integration, and PAR/material inquiry.
   • Present findings at conferences and workshops.
   • Contribute to the project’s evidence base on imagination, creative confidence, and family-centered STEM learning.

Required Qualifications

• Recently awarded a Ph.D. in domains related to innovation sciences or learning studies, such as game theory, narrative theory and multiliteracies, history and philosophy of knowledge, history of education, science & technology studies, next-gen engineering education, XR/VR, computer science/STEM education.
• Recent research or design experience with relevant technologies in the hard sciences or humanities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with interdisciplinary, team, and/or community-based research.

Full Consideration Date:

Close Date:

Open Until Filled? Yes

Quicklink: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/55258

For a detailed description of this position and to apply, visit https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/55258 or call (512) 245-2557 or visit our office at 601 University Dr., J.C. Kellam Bldg., Suite 340.

About Texas State and San Marcos:

Texas State University is a emerging research institution located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor and in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. It is the largest of eight campuses in the Texas State University System and one of the 75 largest universities in the country, with over 38,000 students and approximately 4,000 faculty and staff

Texas State is located in San Marcos, a growing community of over 50,000 people located about half way between Austin and San Antonio. Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on the campus add to the charm of the university's picturesque setting. Our location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides outdoor recreational activities throughout the year.

Why work @ Texas State?

• Amazing health insurance: various coverage options starting your first day of employment for full-time employees with Texas State paying 100% of the employee premium and 50% for your dependents!
• Generous paid time off: vacation, holidays, sick days and many more!
• Excellent work life balance resources: mother and family-friendly resources in addition to a comprehensive FREE wellness program
• Great professional development opportunities: choose from a variety of workshops, training, online learning and even access educational leave opportunities and reimbursement for academic courses
• An inclusive Bobcat community: join our many social networks offered on and off-campus
• Retirement peace of mind: TRS pension, retirement plans and voluntary saving options with generous employer contributions

By joining the Texas State Bobcat team, you’ll be a part of one of the most beautiful, diverse, and growing universities in the nation.