Postdoctoral Fellow

Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Science Education Programs

Position Announcement

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) in Oak Ridge, TN seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multi-disciplinary team to provide evaluation services for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs. A Ph.D. is required. The Fellow will participate under the guidance of a mentor and in collaboration with team members to develop and implement program evaluations, including project design, work plans, instrument development, data management and analyses, reports and presentations. Some overnight travel, and night and weekend hours may be required.

The Science Education Programs (SEP) Office within ORISE manages student, faculty, and postgraduate research participation and internship programs as well as national scholarship and fellowship programs for 22 federal departments and agencies.  SEP also manages short-term educational activities such as science camps and workshops for precollege students and teachers.  Annually, SEP places over 6,500 individuals in various educational programs, including more than 5,100 in research participation, internship, scholarship, and fellowship programs.  Appointments are located at more than 250 laboratories, centers, offices, and universities across the nation.  Last fiscal year, program participants represented about 710 colleges and universities in the United States as well as numerous foreign institutions.  

This postdoctoral fellowship is located within the Analysis and Evaluation Program, a component of the Science Education Program Office that focuses on identifying critical national needs in science education by analyzing labor trends, evaluating program outcomes and assessing educational technologies.  Realizing that it can take years to cultivate highly qualified scientific and technical talent, ORISE designs, implements, operates, and evaluates science education and workforce development programs for all levels in the academic continuum.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in the design of program evaluations for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs. Anticipated start date for this position is September 1, 2012. The position is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in evaluation, education, social science, or related field, received within five years of the fellowship starting date.
• Ability to design and implement program evaluations or applied research.
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple complex projects and deadlines with attention to detail and organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the proven ability to produce well-crafted reports and clearly present complex information to various audiences.
• Develop data analysis plans and analyze data using appropriate methods.
• Prepare technical evaluation reports, briefings and presentations.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks independently.
• Ability to participate effectively and efficiently within a team.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct descriptive statistical analysis of data using computer software (i.e., SPSS and/or SAS).
• Ability to participate in diverse and changing environments.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience writing evaluation reports (formative and summative) and manuscripts for scholarly publications.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Extensive experience conducting various research methods to gather data, including document reviews, case studies, surveys, focus groups, observations, and interviews either face-to-face or by phone or video.
• Broad knowledge of the current research-based principles, theories, and practices of evaluation.
• Experience evaluating projects related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational programs.

Benefits

• Competitive stipends based on educational and professional experience
• Medical/health insurance allowance and plan availability

Conditions

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.
• Typically appointments are for 12 months. Appointments may be renewed for up to three years contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
• Appointments require a full-time commitment.  Fellows must avoid obligations that will interrupt their appointment during their tenure.
• Postdoctoral Fellow must maintain health insurance, and provide proof of coverage for the duration of the ORISE appointment.
• Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to conform to all ORISE relevant policies.
• All published reports, journal articles, or professional presentations that rely on the research conducted during the appointment must be approved by ORISE and acknowledge this support provided by ORISE. Specific language will be provided at the start of the appointment.
• The Fellow does not become an ORISE employee.

To Apply

Complete an Application Form and follow additional instructions for application included on the Application Form.  The Application Form can be downloaded at:  http://www.orau.gov/partform/AEP/Applicati onFor m.docx.