Post Doc Research Assoc - TECS - Bilingual and Dual Language Ed

Apply now Job no:521010
Work type:Post Doc (Amherst Only)
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Teacher Ed/Curriculum Studies
Union: Post Doc
Categories:College of Education, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub supports research-based programs and practices that enhance bilingualism and multiculturalism for equity and social justice, focusing on dual language programs in the Western Massachusetts area. Bilingualism and multiculturalism can benefit students in various ways, including cognitive development, social and emotional growth, educational opportunities, and employment prospects. These traits are considered valuable assets for all.

Essential Functions

The postdoctoral research associate will be responsible for providing direct support to DL and ESL Programs of the Holyoke Public Schools, Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Springfield Public Schools, and Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. The successful candidate will work with partnering school districts to support each district, their teachers, and the multilingual learning community, as well as aid the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub as the Coordinator of the Hub with teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development as detailed in the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub Strategic Plan. The postdoctoral research associate will perform (a) program evaluation, data collection, and analysis; (b) conduct pre-and post-surveys to gauge candidate learning and progress, and share the results with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education during monthly check-ins; (c) apply statistics and econometric analysis that are relevant to educational research and program evaluation; and (d) advance curriculum, fostering innovation, and promoting a student-centered learning environment serving historically ethnolinguistically marginalized communities in our area.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Doctoral degree in Economics or related field.
• The candidate must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Proven track record of involvement in K-12 Education, bilingual and dual language teaching, teacher education, and professional development.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities that have historically characterized the educational experience in the U.S. of students and educators from the Caribbean and other Latin American countries and territories where Spanish and its varieties are most commonly spoken.

Additional Information

• This position is located at the UMass, Amherst campus.
• This position is grant-funded with a one-year initial appointment, with renewal for additional years subject to satisfactory performance.  The position is subject to further renewal for up to 6 years, contingent on funding and university needs.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM with occasional conference meeting on Saturdays

Salary Information

$61,000 annual

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please apply by emailing Dr. Marialuisa Di Stefano ([email protected] ) and include your resume/CV, cover letter, diversity statement, and list of three professional references.

The College of Education is committed to an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion between faculty, staff, and students alike. To advance the College’s mission of furthering social justice, this position will require a diversity statement to be included with each candidate’s application materials. The diversity statement is intended to clarify how a candidate will support a culture of equality and fairness at all levels of the organization and may highlight prior advocacy efforts or intended contributions to the College of Education. Questions about this can be directed to [email protected] .

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.