Post Doctoral

UT Tyler; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Life insurance

Wellness platform

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

UT Flex

Disability plans

Job summary

The University of Texas at El Paso invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral position in the Teacher Education Department. This NSF-funded role focuses on K-12 computer science education, collaboration with research-practice partnerships, and developing independent research agendas.

Under mentorship, the Post Doctoral will conduct data-driven studies, pursue external funding, mentor students, and contribute to policy-relevant findings.

Qualifications

• PhD required with strong research background.
• Experience with statistical concepts and research methods.
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee research projects.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with investigators on research questions and methods.
• Contribute to IRB applications and approvals.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret education-related data.

Skills

Statistical concepts

Research planning

Qualitative & quantitative research

Effective communication

Education

PhD.

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hiring Department: College of Education Dean's Office

Reports To: Managing Professor of Teacher Education

Posting End Date:Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm. Flexibility is required on evenings and weekends.

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials: Candidates should submit (as a single PDF file): (1) a cover letter describing relevant expertise and interests that also indicates your focus on teaching, learning or policy; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) a sample paper or publication; and (4) names and contact information for three references.

Note: This is a full time, temporary contingent upon availability of funds position with a possibility of extension and is eligible for full benefits, including medical, dental, and vision. Funding for this position is expected through August 31st, 2027.

Position Summary

Under general supervision and with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs complex research work by assisting in the development, implementation, and monitoring of specialized research projects. May train and supervise the work of others.

The Teacher Education Department within the College of Education at the University of Texas at El Paso is excited to offer a full-time Postdoctoral position funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) project. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to initiatives that enhance knowledge, practice, and policy at the intersection of K-12 computer science education and research-practice partnerships. The primary aim of the position is to build the capacity—such as knowledge, skills, practices, and literacies—of recent doctoral graduates in education whose work engages with computer science and other STEM fields.

The Post Doctoral will engage in a co-generative mentorship model, participating in ongoing K-12 social science research projects while also developing and implementing their own independent research agendas in related areas. They will be co-mentored by project investigators (including the PI, Co-PIs, and senior personnel), who will guide them in designing and conducting research, pursuing competitive external funding, and mentoring students.

Conducts, monitors, and analyzes research projects to include interpreting results, recommending technology-based solutions, or determining computational strategies; monitors long-range research objectives, programs, and priorities.

May assist in formulation of research objectives and determine the scope of methodologies of research projects and areas to be evaluated; provides feedback relating to research design, planning, instrumentation, statistical analysis, and reporting; works with researchers on the administration of experiments and interpretation of results for research and teaching.

Assists with conducting data quality assurance procedures; applies customized products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods; prepares research data sets and documents data structure and definitions; may develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.

Writes technical papers or summary of findings and prepares standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.

Collects, compiles, and analyzes research data to include the use of statistical methods and relational databases to analyze data sets; may prepare and provide presentations for professional organizations, governmental entities, and the public; communicates research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.

Ensures adherence to laboratory standards and practices to maximize safety and operational effectiveness; compiles and analyzes test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.

May train users on the operation and data management of research equipment.

May participate in proposal writing and coordination for external funds for equipment acquisitions.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Key Responsibilities

Post Doctoral will collaborate with faculty investigators to carry out responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Developing and implementing lines of inquiry aligned with the scholar’s interests, expertise, and social science research goals in one or more areas: K-12 computer science student learning, teaching practice, or policy
• Writing/Amending IRB applications and obtaining IRB approvals
• Collecting/Analyzing/Managing education-related qualitative and quantitative data sources
• Collaborating with and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students
• Publishing and presenting research findings in competitive peer-reviewed venues
• Present project findings at national conferences with project travel funding provided
• Writing grant funding proposals to seek extramural support
• Engaging in participatory approaches to research, practice and policy development and implementation
• Coordinating and working with diverse community stakeholders (e.g., district-, school- and community-based within existing Paso del Norte region Partnership for Education Research)
• Assisting with project management

Supervisory Responsibilities:Must c arry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's objectives, policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications

Education: PhD.

and

Experience: No years of experience. Knowledge of statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis; of measurement, testing, and evaluation; and of research methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies. Skilled in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and in using computers, software, and statistical tools and programs. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee research projects, evaluate research data, ensure the development of measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity, interpret and publish research findings, and communicate effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

Successful candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences, Computer Science, Data Science, Education Policy, Curriculum Theory, STEM Education, or related fields. Appointees must also have evidence of research productivity in topics related to education theory, practice or policy in K-12 computer science teaching and learning, research practice partnerships, constructionism, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, learning analytics, educational data mining, and/or related fields. This evidence can include experience with academic writing, successfully securing approval for human subjects research, success fostering constructive collaborations, and well-developed experiences using qualitative and/or quantitative methodological approaches to study either student learning, teaching practices or policies related to K-12 computer science education processes and outcomes.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP ) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan . Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature.

Miner Perks and Benefits

What UTEP Offers

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing