(10/15/07) Employment Opportunity

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

QUALITATIVE RESEARCHER IN

GENDER AND STEM EDUCATION

IMMEDIATE opening

We seek a graduate student for a 1- to 2-year Qualitative Researcher
position for a National Science Foundation-sponsored project on
gender and undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) education. The three-year study — now beginning
its second year — aims to identify gendered patterns of performance,
interests, and participation in engineering in relation to
undergraduate teaching methods and curricula. Specifically, the
project will address how engineering-related (i.e., physics,
mathematics, and engineering) classrooms that emphasize project-based
learning compare with classrooms that emphasize other innovative or
traditional methods, in terms of their effects on all students and
particularly on women. The research design includes an in-depth,
qualitative and quantitative study on the experiences of 600 female
and male students in twelve classrooms across four high-caliber
engineering schools. This work will provide insight into the
effectiveness of project-based learning vis-à-vis other innovative
pedagogical practices and into the experiences and participation of
women at one of the greatest points of female attrition in engineering.

Requirements:

* training and experience in interviewing and participant
observation;
* proficiency in Word and Excel;
* abilities to work independently and on own initiative;
* abilities to demonstrate strong writing and analytic skills;
* excellent interpersonal skills;
* abilities to pay close attention to detail, work in a team
environment, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines with accurate
results;
* abilities to prioritize work from numerous sources, be well
organized, and have excellent time management skills;
* good oral/written communication skills, and proofreading skills;
* ability to analyze situations, use discretion, and troubleshoot;
* knowledge of Atlas.ti is helpful but not required;
* knowledge of gender and STEM issues is a plus.

The selected candidate will chiefly contribute to the qualitative
side of study including data collection (classroom observations and
faculty/student interviews) and analysis. Local and national travel
may be required. Successful candidate may be asked to stay on the
project for up to 2 years.

The selected applicant will work with Dr. Yevgeniya (Zhenya)
Zastavker (Associate Professor of Physics, Franklin W. Olin College
of Engineering; P.I.) and Dr. Maria (Mia) Ong (Project Leader, TERC;
Co-P.I.) and graduate and undergraduate members of the research team.
The position is open immediately. Applications will be accepted
until the position is filled. The total workload will average
approximately 5 hours per week. Compensation commensurate with
experience will be provided. Opportunities exist for a qualifying
paper and/or co-authorship on conference papers, internal reports,
and academic publications.
Please send cover letters and C.V., including names of two
references, to:
Dr. Yevgeniya Zastavker,
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering,
Olin Way,
Needham, MA 02492-1245
Email: Yevgeniya.Zastavker@olin.edu ; Phone: 781-292-2520

We seek to diversify our staff. We encourage people from all
backgrounds to apply.