Department: Oregon Education Science Laboratory
Rank: Research Assistant (Type C)
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

July 8, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application, including an online application, cover letter, and resume which address how you meet the minimum qualification and, if applicable, any preferred qualifications.

Department Summary

The Oregon Education Science Laboratory (OESL) is a research unit in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. OESL conducts research on teaching and learning in STEM+C education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing) with an emphasis on creating and studying learning environments that foster equity and inclusion for historically underrepresented groups.

OESL is comprised of eight Principal Investigators/Researchers who hold tenure and non-tenure track faculty positions, a business manager, two officers of administration, three graduate employees, as well as temporary employees, student employees, and courtesy research appointments and affiliates that vary in need. For the past years, OESL has operated with approximately $2 to $5 million dollars of annual revenue from federal grants and state contracts.

Position Summary

The purpose of a Research Assistant is to assist in carrying out a particular research agenda. The Research Assistant works as a member of a research team under the direct supervision of faculty researchers. They may follow standard protocols or determine protocols to be used, based on the guidelines of the principal investigator. Research Assistants contribute in many ways to the research project by conducting research, outreach and/or external engagement, proposal development, and supervision and/or mentoring. All faculty are expected to contribute to the equity and inclusion goals of the college and to incorporate the best inclusive practices indicated in their field of expertise.

Potential areas of research include: the current needs of teachers and students shifting to heterogenous (de-tracked) math instruction, including professional development in Complex Instruction (Cohen & Lotan, 2014), Lesson Study, and curriculum development.

Responsibilities include providing professional development to local teachers, data management, learning and using Dedoose software to conduct qualitative analysis of student data on their mathematical affect, support and co-authorship on academic and public outreach publications, and participating in conferences to present findings.

This program is funded by an NSF CAREER award to PI Jennifer Ruef. The Pro Tem Research Assistant will interact with Dr. Ruef, and to some extent, the department of Education Studies as well as local middle school teachers in Lane County. The position will promote the mission of the Department, College of Education, and University of Oregon in terms of helping to improve equitable mathematics education and research.

This position will be supervised by Dr. Jennifer Ruef. This position may provide guidance and oversight to undergraduate and graduate students.

The position is limited duration and potentially renewable for up to a total of three years.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s in Education, Special Education, Prevention Science or closely related field.
• Experience in providing professional development to teachers, working in k-12 setting.
• Experience in providing math instruction and curriculum development.
• Experience writing and working within federally funded grant proposals and awards.
• Experience with research methods and analysis required to design and carry out research studies and disseminate results.

Professional Competencies

• Deep knowledge of Complex Instruction, equity frames in mathematics education, qualitative research in math education, willingness to learn Dedoose.
• Ability to effectively use a computer and applicable software to create databases, perform statistical analyses, present data and perform other computer related tasks.
• Excellent writing and communication skills; including clear and concise communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and effectively supervise others in the completion of specific project activities.
• High quality of work output in terms of day-to-day research, demonstration, outreach, and/or technical assistance activities.
• Ability to work under supervision for completion of project specific activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong research, outreach, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Experience with design-based implementation research.
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, statistical analysis software, and databases.
• Knowledge of participant/subject tracking databases.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical analysis.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

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