Position Available: Doctoral RA Position in Science Teacher Education and Participatory Community Research, The School of Education at Iowa State University

Doctoral RA Position in Science Teacher Education and

Participatory Community Research

The School of Education at Iowa State University is seeking a

doctoral student to work as a Research Assistant (RA) on a 5-year

project called Young scientists and ambitious teachers improving

health in an urban ecosystem, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health

(Science Education Partnership Award). This project is aimed at interrupting the

reproduction of educational and health disparities in a low-income, urban context,

through participatory inquiry focused on mosquitoes and human health. The work is

centered in two underserved, diverse communities in Des Moines, Iowa, about 45

minutes away from the University in Ames. These two communities are part of the ISU

4U Promise, a university-school-community partnership to enhance college-going for

students historically excluded from higher education. The project aims to provide preservice

teachers with understandings of ambitious and authentic science teaching

through a community-based model that engages stakeholders in participatory action

research and citizen science.

The RA will have the opportunity to work with all stakeholders: 4th and 5th grade

students, pre-service and in-service teachers, informal educators, and neighbourhood

residents. The RA will be involved in the design and delivery of coursework and

professional development as well as data collection and analysis. The RA will closely

collaborate with the project PIs, Dr. Gale Seiler and Dr. Katherine Richardson Bruna

(ISU School of Education) and Dr. Lyric Bartolomay (Medial Entomology, ISU and

University of Wisconsin). Dr. Gale Seiler and Dr. Katherine Richardson Bruna have a

background in sociocultural approaches to science education, and Dr. Bartholomay is an

epidemiological entomologist.

A successful applicant should have prior experience teaching science in a K-12 setting

or working in informal science education; a commitment to underserved, low-income

populations; and an interest in working in both schools and communities. The two

relevant areas of study within the School of Education are Social and Cultural Studies in

Education: Multicultural Education and Teaching and Learning: Science Education

(http://www.education.iastate.edu/graduate-studies/). The RA’s dissertation research

could examine any aspect, stakeholder group, or targeted outcome of the project. The

doctoral student will be expected to develop novel research questions through

consultation with the literature and under the guidance of their graduate committee.

The RA will receive a graduate tuition scholarship, a monthly stipend of $1800 (with

annual increases), and employment benefits, including health insurance. Start date for

this position will be in January 2016.

Applicants should apply to the School of Education for graduate admission

(http://www.education.iastate.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-studentresources/

graduate-admission.html). Please indicate interest in an assistantship by

checking the appropriate box and mention the assistantship in the statement of intent.

Due to the funding cycle for this project, the standard deadline of September 1 is waived.

Applications should be received by November 2, 2015.Applicants should also send a

letter of application for the assistantship directly to Dr. Gale Seiler (gseiler@iastate.edu)

by November 2, 2015.

Questions? Contact Dr. Gale Seiler (gseiler@iastate.edu)