The Saint Louis University School of Education, in collaboration with St. Louis Public Schools, is seeking applications for a research associate (postdoctoral fellow) to help forge a University-District partnership between SLU and SLPS. Successful candidates will conduct applied education policy research for the Education Policy and Equity (EPE) program in the School of Education and will serve as data analysts and researchers for SLPS.
The research associate (postdoctoral fellow) will work closely together and with a large research team (including SLU EPE faculty and graduate students, researchers in the SLU PRiME education policy research center, and SLPS administrative staff) to conduct research on Missouri education data and SLPS data. The ideal candidates will have experience conducting program evaluations and designing research projects related to education policy issues.
The postdoctoral fellow will split their time between the SLPS and the EPE program in the SLU School of Education.
Responsibilities for SLPS are centered on increasing the data and analytic capabilities of the district through the following:
- Analyzing student- and school-level data to respond to data requests and analytic needs of the district
- Responding to data requests from outside researchers
- Designing and implementing surveys of students, parents, and/or school staff in SLPS
- Executing research projects, including the design, analysis, and reporting of results for district partners, practitioners, and administrators
- Designing research projects to ascertain the impacts of educational programs and initiatives implemented in SLPS; these initiatives could include summer school programs, one-to-one technology initiatives, and other programs
- Presenting the results of research to stakeholders, including SLPS administrators, teachers, stakeholders, and other policymakers
- Aiding the district staff in writing grant proposals
Responsibilities for SLU Education Policy and Equity program, and the associated PRiME Center, are centered on designing and carrying out an applied education policy research agenda through the following:
Designing and implementing research projects to understand the impacts of education policy initiatives affecting students and educators in the state of Missouri
Participating in and carrying out aspects of the SLU PRiME Center’s research agenda, including the design of studies and dissemination of results
Disseminating findings of research to education stakeholders through blogs, policy briefs, and reports with a focus on education policy in the state of Missouri
Aiding in the maintenance of the Center’s website through frequent updates and posting pertinent research and work products from the Center
Working collaboratively with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects that will impact education in the state of Missouri
Assisting with the mentorship of doctoral students in the School of Education The research associate will be guided and mentored by SLU SOE faculty and senior members of the PRiME team at all stages of research projects. Additionally, research conducted for both SLPS and the PRiME Center has the potential to lead to publications in academic journals.
Minimum Requirements:
- An earned doctorate in education research, policy, or a closely related field, with a preference for quantitative research methodology or data analysis. Degree must be conferred prior to start date
- A track record of publication or evidence of strong potential
- Strong commitment to helping underserved students in urban settings
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Interest in pursuing and conducting applied and academic research of importance to state legislators, district stakeholders, and schools
Desired Qualifications:
- Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research, with a focus on K-12, postsecondary, and/or early childhood education
- Expertise with statistical analysis software such as Stata, R, or SAS
- Methodological expertise in research design, implementation, and analysis
- Experience working on large-scale datasets and collaborating with team members
- Experience designing and conducting surveys on education at the PK-12 level
- Experience working in PK-12 classroom settings and observing classroom practices
Salary and Starting date: Salary will be competitive and includes benefits. This is a two-year term position with a proposed starting date of August 15, 2021.
Application Process: Applicants should submit a letter of interest stating qualifications and their commitment to assisting urban school districts and conducting education policy research, current curriculum vita, and the names and contact information for three references. All application materials should be submitted in PDF format directly to prime@slu.edu. For full consideration, all applications should be submitted on or before July 22, 2021.
Context: Saint Louis University (SLU), established 1818, is the oldest institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River and is a world-class Catholic, Jesuit institution educating nearly 14,000 students. SLU’s 230-acre urban campus located in midtown Saint Louis, providing students, faculty, and staff a close-knit community in the middle of a lively city. In a 2018 interview with theChronicle of Higher Education, SLU President Fred Pestello committed the University to doubling its research budget to $100 million and becoming a Carnegie One research institution in the next 7 years.
The School of Education (SOE) shares in the 470-year-old Jesuit tradition of excellence in education, focusing on the growth of the whole person. The purpose of Jesuit education is to develop men and women for and with others. Saint Louis University, and the School of Education, is committed to intellectual rigor and the use of knowledge for the betterment of our local, national, and international communities. The School of Education is recognized as a leader in the state and region. More than 30 percent of the public school superintendents in Missouri and 42 percent of all Catholic school leaders in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis hold degrees from SLU. Eighty-five percent of all Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis have leaders who hold a SLU degree.
The Saint Louis metro region is home to nearly 3 million people and provides a mix of midwestern friendliness and large-city amenities.
Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non‐merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314‐977‐5847.