Applications are being accepted for a postdoctoral research position to work on an NSF-Funded project in K-12 biology education research under the direction of Drs. Peter White and Louise Mead at Michigan State University. This is intended to be a four-year position, pending successful annual performance reviews. Overview: The recent synthesis of science education research embodied by the National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provides an inspiring vision for the high standards we know to be important for the future success of both our students and our nation. However, few or no curricula exist in the field of biology that have taken on the challenge of integrating these three dimensions of science: the core ideas of biology, the science and engineering practices, and the crosscutting concepts-to support all students in building toward sophisticated understandings of biological phenomena. In this project, we intend to develop and research learning materials with a focus on two related areas of life science: the molecular basis for genetics and the process of evolution by natural selection. These two areas are documented as being difficult to teach and learn. They are also interlinked, spanning multiple biological scales, yet have historically been taught separately. Recent development in integrative case curriculum by the Evo-Ed project (www.evo-ed.org) provides the needed content for a connected set of lessons that can be used as the basis for generating and researching three-dimensional teaching materials aligned with the performance expectations of the NGSS. We will examine how, and how far, students can progress when learning from coherent sequences of learning materials that employ the principles of three-dimensional learning. Required Qualifications: A PhD in one of the following fields is required: biology, biology education, or K-12 education (paired with a BSc or an MSc in Biology). Candidates must demonstrate a strong knowledge of K-12 biology teaching and/or research, and have a working knowledge of the NGSS. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, knowledge and use of web-based technologies, a working knowledge of multivariate statistics and databases, and skills in managing and coordinating a study at a national scale. Responsibilities: The postdoc will work closely with Drs. White and Mead on the design, development and testing of curriculum materials, data collection and analysis, and working with teachers. The postdoc will play a significant role adapting Evo-Ed’s integrative cases of evolution for a K-12 setting. This will include the development of learning outcomes and activities for middle- and high school classrooms. The postdoctoral research associate will be involved in preparing publications arising from the research conducted in this project. They will participate in manuscript planning, data analysis, drafting manuscript sections, submitting to appropriate journals, and responding to manuscript reviewer comments. To apply: Submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, teaching philosophy, and complete contact information for three references to Dr. Peter White (pwh...@msu.edu). Review of application materials will begin on Monday October 31 and continue until the position is filled.
