Postdoctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Developing evidence-based learning networks for environmental education and interpretation in the United States

We are pleased to announce a new Postdoctoral Research Associate position starting Winter/Spring 2025 working with directly with Dr. Marc Stern and Dr. Kelley Anderson Virginia Tech (and in collaboration with Dr. Bob Powell at Clemson University). With funding from the National Park Service (NPS) and National Science Foundation, the postdoctoral associate will help to coordinate evidence-based learning networks of NPS units and other educational organizations to (1) develop evaluation capacity; (2) conduct evaluation research on their programs; (3) conduct quasi-experimental research to identify lessons about what works in environmental education and interpretation; and (4) conduct research on the development and outcomes of networked learning communities. Other opportunities exist for additional research in the conservation social sciences as well as teaching opportunities.

Primary duties:

• Research support (90%)
  • Participate in planning, design, and coordination of networking and research efforts 
  • Directly liaise with dozens of education organizations to develop their evaluation capacity and support data collection
  • Manage data collection, entry, organization, cleaning, and quantitative data analysis
  • Co-author peer-reviewed publications and other reports
  • Present at conferences and other professional meetings
  • Support other research activities as needed
• Manage and mentor graduate students (10%)

Minimum qualifications:

• A PhD (ABD with PhD completion by end of 2024 acceptable) in a social science discipline relevant to informal science education; environmental education; interpretation; sociology, psychology, positive youth development, evaluation, environmental conservation; park management; or other relevant human dimensions aspects of natural resource management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong quantitative analysis skills with experience in statistical software programs, such as SPSS, STATA, or R
• Experience in database management
• Experience in project management
• Demonstrated experience publishing peer‐reviewed social science articles

Additional desired experience:

• Experience or expertise in interpretation and environmental education
• Experience collaborating on larger research projects with an ability to manage others, including graduate students
• Experience with multilevel modeling and other advanced statistical procedures
• Willingness to travel domestically for up to 4 weeks at a time.

This is a 12-month position with an annual salary of $60,000 - $65,000 plus benefits. The position is renewable annually for up to 4 years, with salary raises contingent on positive performance.

There is a strong preference for the postdoc to be based physically at Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg, VA, USA. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Start date is negotiable with a preference for January 2025.

All inquiries should be directed to Dr. Marc Stern at mjstern@vt.edu.    

Applicants wishing to be fully considered for the position should submit the following materials via the following link: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/530800/postdoctoral-associate

• Cover letter articulating interest and skills pertaining to the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing sample
• Names and contact information for 3 academic or professional references