Post-doc Fellow Position, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

The Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations in Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College is seeking a post-doctoral fellow in Education Policy and Leadership to work on two externally funded research projects in 2016-17.  The projects include the National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools and The Instructional Program Partnership (IPI) an IES funded randomized evaluation of a state partnership program focused on teacher collaboration, evaluation, and instructional improvement. The studies are led by Ellen Goldring, Marisa Cannata and Jason Grissom. Funding is available for up to two years. and the start date is flexible.

Qualified applicants will have experience in qualitative research, including interviewing, conducting focus groups, coding, report writing, using qualitative research software, managing data collection and IRB protocols, and be willing to travel for data collection. The position requires working in a collaborative research environment with an interest in studying program and policy implementation. Prior research experience and expertise in school settings is highly desired as the applicant should have a strong ability to manage research relationships with educators and district personnel.

The position includes the opportunity for the postdoctoral scholar to develop publications that build on her or his emerging research agenda.

An earned doctorate in education, policy, sociology or a related discipline is required.  Review of applications will begin February 22, 2016 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit: a cover letter addressing their qualifications, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references.

Please send all application materials to: Tammy Eidson at tammy.eidson@vanderbilt.edu

For more information about this position, please contact Ellen Goldring at  ellen.goldring@vanderbilt.edu  or Marisa Cannata at marisa.cannata@vanderbilt.edu

The National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools (NCSU) is a national research and development center at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. NCSU’s work focuses on creating effective high schools. The purpose of NCSU is to develop, implement, and test new processes to scale up effective practices in high schools that districts will be able to use within the context of their own goals and unique circumstances. Through the work of NCSU, we seek to identify the bundle of practices that effective schools use to orchestrate the essential components of effective schools into successful outcomes for all students. NCSU has a nationally-recognized team that is composed of scholars, educational program developers, and two large urban districts. For more information about the National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools, visit the website at www.scalingupcenter.org.

The Instructional Partnership Initiative (IPI) is a central component of Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system and its ongoing efforts to use the system to promote instructional improvement. The IES-funded project will analyze the effectiveness and implementation of the program, an intervention aimed at harnessing teacher expertise within schools to supplement the feedback that teachers receive through the evaluation system. Principals receive information regarding possible collaborative teaching partners in each school based on an algorithm from the state's teacher evaluation system. The research will focus on program implementation, seeking to explore not only whether and how the program is implemented, but also the conditions that contribute to its adoption and success.

Vanderbilt University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.