Post-Doctoral Fellowships

• The Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) at Middle Tennessee State University invites applications for two Post-Doctoral Research Fellow positions (#367060, 367070). We seek individuals interested in contributing to K-12 and post-secondary level STEM education research and outreach activities and developing professional skills for future positions in academia or non-academic settings. Successful candidates should have a desire to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary and cross-departmental, team environment of professional staff, students, faculty, and administrators.
• Start date for the position may be as early as October 1, 2019. Initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of extension for up to 2 additional years depending on continued interest, performance, and available funding. 
• The Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) is a research center aimed at improving K-12 and post-secondary level STEM education both locally and nationally. The center conducts STEM education research funded by various organizations including NSF, IES, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The center also fosters partnerships among educators, education researchers, STEM researchers, and policymakers through research and outreach projects in STEM education. In addition to full-time center directors, four PhD students in the Math and Science Education program, two master's students, and undergraduate research assistants.
• The post-doctoral fellow would be part of the leadership team for one or more grant-funded projects in STEM teacher leadership, professional networks, and classroom discourse at the K-12 and post-secondary levels. This position will provide opportunities for an emerging scholar to contribute to the projects' goals while developing a range of research skills. Projects include researching the influence of K-12 teachers' professional networks on outcomes such as teacher identity development and retention, the design and impact of online professional communities for chemistry teachers on teacher beliefs and practices, and the influence of task design on classroom discourse in college introductory chemistry courses using active learning pedagogies. Further details of this project can be found here. In addition, the fellow will contribute to the larger TSEC mission by supporting proposals for extramural funding, leading outreach activities, and/or facilitating partnerships.
• Duties include, but are not limited to: 1) designing and conducting research within a collaborative setting; 2) analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data; 3) dissemination of research findings at conferences and in refeered journals; 4) facilitating the development of research proposals to secure extramural funding across diverse STEM learning environments, and 5) developing partnerships with educators, organizations, and researchers to further the mission of TSEC. Depending on the interest of the fellow, the position also provides opportunities for design and facilitation of K-12 STEM outreach activities, mentored teaching, professional development, and funded travel to present at national conferences. Middle Tennessee State University is a vibrant hub for educating students who are accomplished, civically engaged and globally responsible; and a nexus of cultural, social, and artistic expression. MTSU, with approximately 21,500 students, is located about 35 miles southeast of Nashville. The Mathematics and Science Education Program, housed in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, has a strong track record of Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) and houses the PhD program with concentrations in biological, chemical, mathematics, and interdisciplinary science education.
• Required Education: An earned doctorate in a STEM, STEM education discipline, or related field by appointment date.

• Required License / Registration / Certification
• Other Desirable
• Candidates who possess any of the following will receive special consideration:
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Chemistry and/or expertise in Chemistry education research at the postsecondary level.
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
• Expertise in one or more established research methodologies.
• Experience in writing proposals for external funding to support research and outreach efforts.
• Experience mentoring and supervising junior researchers, such as graduate or undergraduate research assistants.
• Able to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Organizational and time management abilities.

Salary commensurate with education and experience. Additionally, MTSU provides its employees with a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance as well as several other optional benefit plans
• Retirement savings programs that include your choice of two plans as well as three deferred compensation saving plans; mandatory 5% employee contribution
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Educational Assistance Program
• Sick Leave

• In order to successfully apply, applicants are required to include a cover letter explaining relevant background and interest in one or more of the TSEC research explaining relevant background and interest in one or more of the TSEC research projects, detailed curriculum vitae, and two (2) writing samples where the applicant is the primary author (including but not limited to: manuscripts, dissertation chapters, conference papers, book chapters, monographs, and research proposals). Both samples are to be attached as "Other Document.". ADDITIONALLY, applicants must provide unofficial transcripts at the time of application. Transcripts should all be included as "Other Document 2."
• Please review your application/document attachments closely as you certify and submit your application to the posting. Applicants who do not successfully attach all required documentation cannot be considered.
• Edits to application/documents already submitted are allowed PRIOR to the Job Review Date for Optimal Consideration but not beyond.
• Application/documents received by the review date will receive full consideration; however, the posting remains open and applications may continue to be submitted until the position is filled.
• If you need assistance in applying or editing application/documents already submitted, please contact Faculty Recruitment Specialist at 615-898-5128.

Additional Information:

• As a part of application submittal, applicants will be required to provide names and contact information for three PROFESSIONAL recommenders (external to MTSU preferred) during your application to the posting. If you approved for the candidate pool, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.
• The letters of recommendation must be professional (not personal) recommendations and should be returned via the link provided in the solicitation email. Letters must be current and specific to the job posting and may not be provided from a general dossier.
• Applications received by posted Review Date will receive full consideration. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility for U.S. employment will be required prior to employment (Immigration Control Act of 1986). Clery Act crime statistics for MTSU available online or by contacting MTSU Public Safety at 615-898-2424.
• MTSU is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that values diversity in all its forms. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

• MTSU is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
• The position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for the position.
• Job Category: Faculty-Temp
• Job type: Full Time
• Academic Resources: Reference Letters, Reference Letters
• Accept References? Yes
• Minimum Requests? 3
• Maximum Requests? 5
• Last Day a Reference Provider Can Submit Reference: 12/31/2019
• Letters of professional recommendation (not personal) will be submitted via the uniquely assigned link and per the instructions included in the solicitation email automatically generated if/when the recommendations are required. Generic letters stored on a third-party site will not be accepted.
• Dr. Gregory Rushton,
  Search Committee Chair
  Supplemental Questions