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Project Scientist, Center for the Transformation of Schools

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Position description

The Department of Education in the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles announces an opening for a Project Scientist to lead the research portfolio for the Center for the Transformation of Schools and its three emphasis areas including: organizing school systems for equity, disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and school improvement networks.

The successful candidate must have a strong background in research related to issues of racial equity in schools, linkages between poverty, social inequality and education, education policy and the academic, social and emotional factors that impact student learning. The successful candidate will exhibit a deep understanding of how in-school and out-of-school factors influence student achievement, the role of school systems to prioritize the success of its most vulnerable student populations and scholarship that examines the disproportionate impact of zero tolerance policies on low-income students of color. He/she must have a program of research that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to explore how education policies can mitigate or address structural racism and social inequities.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in utilizing mixed-methods in education institutions. These methods may include, but are not limited to:

• Case study
• Individual and focus group interviews (with a range of education stakeholders including district- and school-level administrators, teachers, and students)
• Survey construction, administration and analysis
• Observational techniques
• Ethnography
• Critical and participatory methodologies
• Assessment inventories and evaluation

Responsibilities include:
• Direct the research efforts for Center for the Transformation of Schools with the Faculty Director, GSEIS faculty and researchers, Center staff and school system leaders;
• Lead efforts to collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings to broader audiences of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers and other engaged stakeholders;
• Build research-practice partnerships with the UCLA Community School and collaborating schools and/or districts (e.g., educators and administrators) to ensure proposed research projects are both meaningful and relevant to their interests/needs;
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that have conducted research and have established measures of various aspects of social-emotional learning;
• Build partnerships and develop alliances with external organizations that can complement emerging knowledge;
• Conduct intensive research (e.g., observations, interviews, surveys, documentation of educators’ perspectives, and documentation of student learning);
• Lead IRB processes;
• Write peer-reviewed journal articles, blogs, book chapters, etc.;
• Present at conferences locally, nationally and internally;
• Develop and maintain project budgets;
• Create and uphold a strong research agenda as evidenced by publications and external and internal grant support;
• Cultivate and manage key philanthropic relationships to advance the Center’s research agenda;
• Lead and write research focused grant proposals

Qualifications: An earned doctorate in Education; record of research and scholarly publications consistent with the position and appointment level; and strong record of leading and managing projects. The successful candidate must have the promise of a strong qualitative research and grant-getting record beyond that achieved to date, a willingness to collaborate on program development, and demonstrated commitment to diversity-related research and service. He/she must also demonstrate ability to exercise initiative, flexibility, and solid decision-making. Experience working with educators, schools, districts and key education stakeholders is also required.

For more information: Contact Dr. Pedro Noguera: pnoguera@gseis.ucla.edu. All inquiries will be kept confidential if desired.

To apply: Apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF04068 with a cover letter describing your research interests and experience, a curriculum vita, two or three sample publications, and three letters of reference.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Starting Date: Appointment to begin January 1, 2019; renewable annually.

Deadline: October 21, 2018

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Include description of research interests and experience

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
    (Optional)

  • Sample publication #1

  • Sample publication #2

  • Sample publication #3 (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required

Job location

Los Angeles, CA