UCLA’s Teaching and Learning Center invites applicants for a position of Postdoctoral Scholar to support the Holistic Evaluation of Teaching (HET) Initiative. The position is a full-time, 24-month appointment, with a start date of September 1, 2024. Salary range is commensurate with experience and comes with University benefits. This appointment is for 2 years with the possibility of an extension.
Overview of the Position:
The HET Initiative at UCLA is a campus-wide effort to transform the way instructors are recognized and rewarded for their teaching. HET builds department capacity for meaningful teaching evaluation and supports changes in existing materials and processes at the level of instructors, departments, administrative units, the Academic Senate, and the UC system. The HET Research and Support Postdoctoral Scholar is primarily responsible for conducting program evaluation and research that inform the improvement of the HET initiative and disseminating findings. Additional responsibilities may include assisting with program implementation and improvement. This position will be co-supervised by the Program Director for the Holistic Evaluation of Teaching Initiative and the Special Assistant to the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning for the Holistic Evaluation of Teaching Initiative. Opportunities to participate in professional development and mentoring activities will be coordinated by the postdoctoral scholar’s supervisors throughout the appointment.
HET Evaluation and Research
- Assist HET leadership to design program evaluation and research, including study plans, timelines, and data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, interview protocols, rubrics for document review).
- Conduct and write up relevant scholarly literature reviews.
- Secure and maintain study approval from UCLA’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- Recruit and consent study participants.
- Collect and analyze qualitative data (interviews, documents) and quantitative data (surveys).
- Write up and disseminate findings to a range of campus stakeholders
- May present at professional conferences and support the development of peer-reviewed publications related to the HET program evaluation/research study.
HET Implementation and Improvement
- Assist with the development, monitoring, and improvement of materials and processes that support the HET Initiative, including the resources and support structure provided to departments engaged with HET.
- Assist with the creation of materials to describe and promote HET to a range of audiences (e.g., website content, presentations).
- Engage with TLC staff to create materials to describe and promote participation in the HET initiative, communicating relevant news, resources, and events via TLC website, newsletter and/or listserv, and social media platforms.
- Assist with the day-to-day logistics of the Initiative, in coordination with HET leadership and the Program Manager.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned and approved by the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning.
Qualifications:
Required
- A doctorate degree that includes coursework in qualitative and quantitative social research methods in education or a related discipline
- Experience collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., interviews, documents, surveys) for research in education or a related discipline
- Experience conducting literature reviews of empirical research in education or a related discipline
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas clearly, tailor communication for specific audiences, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
Preferred
- Experience working with a university Institutional Review Board (IRB) to obtain ethical clearance for human-subjects research
- Current and complete UCLA Human Subjects Research certification or UCLA Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program
- Experience preparing and submitting a manuscript for publication in an academic journal
- Knowledge of teaching evaluation in higher education
- Knowledge of student-centered, equitable teaching practices in higher education
- Higher-education teaching experience, as an instructor or teaching assistant
Applicants who are ABD and will have received the PhD degree by September 1, 2024, are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions:
To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter expressing their interest in the position, curriculum vitae, sample of academic writing that includes a section on research methods (e.g., article, dissertation), one-page diversity statement, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Applicants should submit their materials online at this link.
This position is represented by the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Glory Tobiason, Program Director for the HET Initiative, at gtobiason@teaching.ucla.edu.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
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, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.