Postdoctoral Scholar - Applied Quantitative Methods

Postdoctoral Scholar Position:
Quantitative Methods within Applied Developmental and Learning Science About the Unit:

The Kersten Institute for Urban Education (KIUE) at the University of Chicago is an internationally and nationally renowned institute with the aim of promoting applied research on youth development and learning in formal and informal settings. KIUE represents a model for how the higher education community can engage in the systemic improvement of pre‑K-12 schooling through its Consortium on School Research, Network for College Success (NCS), To&Through, and Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP).

Across these entities, KIUE conducts rigorous fundamental and applied research, trains researchers and practitioners, operates a preK‑12 public school, and provides research‑based tools and resources to schools in 62 major cities across 38 states.

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar specializing in quantitative methodology within the applied science. Specifically, we are looking for a highly motivated methodologist who can analyze data from several multi‑method, large‑scale longitudinal studies exploring how sociocultural and psychological factors influence youth’s identity development, academic learning, and socio‑emotional well‑being during middle childhood and adolescence.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will work on multi‑jurisdictional, longitudinal datasets to examine the individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors that mitigate or worsen the impact of school culture, family dynamics, and peer networks on youth’s academic adjustment and mental health. In addition, the Postdoctoral Scholar will assist in the development and validation of new methodological approaches that help researchers to better understand contextual and sociocultural influences on youth’s risk and resilience, especially among those from historically marginalized and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will receive direct mentorship from well‑established scholars familiar with the demanding aspects of producing high‑quality scholarship. The Postdoctoral Scholar will be expected to build a research program by formulating research questions, generating research designs, writing grants, conducting analysis, and disseminating findings through manuscripts and presentations. We are offering a one‑year contract with the option for a one‑year renewal.

Based on performance, there is an opportunity after this two‑year commitment to transition from the Post‑Doctoral Scholar position to a Research Associate or Research Assistant Professor as a more permanent position.

• Education:
  
  Applicants must have a doctorate.
• Required experience:
  
  Applicants must have a promising publication record and advanced quantitative skills (e.g., HLM, SEM, propensity score matching, and multilevel growth modeling) and considerable experience working with large‑scale, longitudinal datasets.
• Preferred experience:
  
  A strong understanding of how sociocultural, sociohistorical, and developmental factors interact to influence risk, instill resilience, and promote equity among youth across multiple ecological contexts is preferred, but not requisited.

• Excellent research skills and advanced quantitative methods.
• Independent capacity to develop goals, operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activities.
• Strong writing and analytic skills.
• Ability to appropriately manage time while engaging in independent and collaborative work across multiple projects.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow university policies regarding data security.
• Working knowledge of policy and practice innovations related to youth development and schooling with an eagerness to develop further knowledge in these areas.

To apply for this position, please submit (1) a cover letter describing your research goals and training, including why your background and interests are a good match for the position, (2) a Curriculum Vitae, (3) one writing sample, (4) two letters of recommendation to DISCLab. We will begin reviewing applications on February 1 and will continue to…