CIRCLE Postdoctoral Research Scholar - Civic Education

Position Title: CIRCLE Postdoctoral Research Scholar - Civic Education

Department: Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life

Position Type: Postdocs

Qualifications:

A scholar with a Ph.D. in Education or related disciplines (Sociology, Educational or Developmental Psychology, etc.) who is not yet tenured, or an ABD whose defense date is no later than May 31, 2024. The scholar must have authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship as we cannot issue a new work authorization for this position.

Desirable qualifications, experiences, and skills include, but are not limited to:

• Background knowledge and familiarity with research literature in social studies and civics education.
• Experience in public school settings and comfort interacting with students, teachers, and administrators. Experience explaining research projects to school stakeholders and engaging them to participate in the study or provide input.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex research projects with multiple stakeholders, deliverables, and timelines.
• Proficiency in cleaning and analyzing quantitative data and ability to interpret and communicate findings to a lay audience.
• Knowledge of qualitative and mixed-methods research and evaluation design and data collection methods, including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and classroom observation.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and external partners from varied backgrounds, views and positions and account for the stakeholder needs and assets in development of the final product.

• Strong interest in pursuing a career that involves applied research and partnerships with community groups, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
• Capacity to function well in a fast-paced, impact-driven workplace working on several projects at one time. Although the postdoctoral fellow will not have the same expectations of a full-time CIRCLE staff member, they are expected to meet deadlines, partner requests, and expectations in a timely, partner-centered manner.

The postdoctoral scholar will co-lead a major project, take significant responsibility on others, and also have a portion of their time (~20%) to conduct independent research of their choice within the major topical areas of CIRCLE's work and will have access to many datasets for developing publishable research. Candidates are encouraged to express an interest in teaching and/or writing manuscripts during their term as a scholar, although there is no guarantee that either will be part of the position. The position is currently set up as a one-year engagement but may be renewed for another year pending availability of funds and mutual agreement between the scholar and CIRCLE's Director.

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following information:

• A cover letter that includes your desired goals during the postdoctoral fellowship term, the reasons why CIRCLE is an ideal placement for you, and 1-3 areas of CIRCLE's work that most interest you (and why).
• Your CV;

• One writing sample (preferably something of relevance to an educator/practitioner audience); and
• Three letters of recommendation which should be uploaded by your recommenders to Interfolio directly.

Opens November 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position should be sent to Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler ( [email protected] ) and we will do our best to reply in two business days. No phone calls, please.

Description:

Overview
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life seems candidates for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar position for a 12-month term (January 1 - December 31, 2024), with a possibility of renewal pending funding availability and satisfactory performance. This fellowship will be based at CIRCLE's Tufts University office, located in Medford, MA. It is a full-time hybrid position and the fellow will be expected to work at CIRCLE's Medford office on the Tufts University campus three days per week. Although the position will start in the winter, we are flexible with relocation timeline provided the person is in Massachusetts by June 1.

CIRCLE is a research-based think tank studying how young people in the United States learn to become active participants in our democracy. CIRCLE studies a broad range of topics, including electoral engagement, K-12 civic education, youth organizing, youth and civic media, and community characteristics that promote civic development. The central focus of its work is expanding access to civic learning and engagement opportunities by illuminating and working with others to address systemic inequalities and marginalization.

CIRCLE is part of Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, a university-wide college charged with preparing students for a lifetime of engagement in civic and democratic life, studying civic life and its intersections with public and private institutions, and promoting practices that strengthen civic life in the United States and around the world. Tisch College produces new knowledge in the field and applies evidence-based practices in its programs, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts. The post-doctoral scholar will contribute to a cohesive and effective execution of CIRCLE's mission and values, as well as Tisch College's strategic framework which includes; 1) expanding partnerships to foster civic engagement and deepen student engagement; 2 strengthening community-engaged research and partnerships, and 3) extending local, national and global impact and learning. Operating under the directorship of Dr. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, CIRCLE is a small team representing diverse professional and academic backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. In service of our goal to ultimately eliminate the systemic barriers that keep some young people marginalized from and underrepresented in civic life, we engage in impact-driven partnerships. By consistently seeking out opportunities to learn with and from people and organizations representing marginalized communities, we are able to intentionally iterate our approach to research and aim to achieve equal and just outcomes . This postdoctoral scholar will work under the leadership of Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, a senior researcher at CIRCLE and principal investigator of multiple grant-funded civic education research and evaluation projects.

The postdoctoral scholar will be invited to apply their expertise and knowledgebase to a range of CIRCLE projects focused on K-12 civics education. They will co-lead project coordination and implementation, as well as mixed-methods data collection and analysis.

EEO Statement:

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. See the University's Non-Discrimination statement and policy here . If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at [email protected] . Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at