Postdoctoral Associate, The Kinder Institute For Urban Research

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024. Let ters of recommendation will be asked of finalists.

Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research (KIUR) aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently expanding to build out five research centers focused on key aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five research centers will conduct research on housing , education , public health , economic mobility and inequality , and population dynamics . KIUR uses a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and do research that values diversity in expertise and centers the community in identifying the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston.

The Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a program of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research (KIUR) at Rice University, is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in education research who can design, plan, and implement mixed methods research projects in a research-practice partnership (RPP). The research agenda for the postdoc will be developed in close collaboration with HERC’s director, associate directors, and Houston-area partner school districts, with one explicit component of their work being focused on a mixed methods study of increasing the use of research evidence by school district partners. The postdoc effectively communicates research findings through research briefs and papers, presentations, and conferences to various audiences, including partners and stakeholders. The postdoc may supervise and train small research teams. There are opportunities to work in cooperation with our staff grant writer to pursue external research grants for HERC-related research. The postdoctoral research fellow is encouraged to pursue his/her research agenda during the fellowship but would be expected to dedicate 2/3 of their time to the research agenda established with HERC.

While the position will be housed in the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, we welcome PhDs, EdDs, or applicants in related fields where the candidate has pursued mixed methods education research. Dr. Ruth López Turley, Professor of Sociology and Director of KIUR, will be the faculty mentor for this position, with the postdoc also working closely with Dr. Erin Baumgartner, Director of HERC.

In addition to an annual salary of $60,000, the fellowship provides office space and necessary technology. Additional support for HERC project-related conference travel is also available.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in Sociology or related fields
• Skills Required
  • Excellent technical and data analysis skills, particularly in qualitative or mixed methods
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as oral presentation skills
  • Ability to work in a team environment, to participate actively, to collaborate and to motivate others
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and direction
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Preferably with experience in partnership research
  • Ability to handle bulk data collection and analysis

Essential Functions

• Performs independent and collaborative specialized research. The following areas are especially preferred: interviews, surveys, document analysis, and administrative education data.
• Mentors, oversees, and/or supports student RAs and/or other early career researchers.
• Communicates the research findings through verbal presentations and publications/reports.
• Supports project management.
• Designs and implements research protocols; adapts new procedures, methods, or instrumentation relative to research procedures.
• Some research-related travel, as well as event attendance and engagement in the Department programs
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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