STEM education research on inclusive environments and interdisciplinary STEM research is growing. As the field continues to reflect dynamic communities and community research priorities, this novel post-doctoral program seeks to bring to the center critical frameworks. Through a thematic of “Queering STEM Education” we propose to bring together a cohort of STEM education and science studies scholars who take seriously critical frameworks of queer, decolonial, transnational, and / or intersectionality. To queer is to offer a critique, to contest the “naturalization of the categories of normal and deviant sexuality and binarized notions of sexed anatomy, gender identity, sexual desire, and sexual identity” (Thinking with Kristina Gupta and David Rubin 2021). To bring to the center analytics that are historically on the margins of STEM research, is, so to speak, a queering endeavor. Therefore, to queer STEM is truly an interdisciplinary and methodological complex undertaking. That is, to queer is to contend with the norms with how one does research, the modalities of research, the subjects in research, and the research questions asked that further how we come to know what counts as STEM. As conveyed by Jin Haritaworn a queer methodology “only works if we know where we stand, where we are trying to go, and whom we are trying to take with us” (Haritaworn 2017). As fields of STEM seek to diversify, it is ever more pressing through a cohort model of scholars that we also to take seriously how research is done, and how a next generation of scholars are supported and trained to cross disciplines.

Ideal candidates include individuals who graduated with a PhD in the past 4 years, and whose research includes:
Discipline-based education researchers (DBER) interested in queering their methodologies or bringing into their research queer analytics.
Science studies scholars who bring into their research queer methods or frameworks.
Interdisciplinary scholars who bring to the center of their research STEM related fields.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding this pioneering STEM program with a $1.25 million award. Learn more at: https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/diversifying-stem-education-research/

Program overview
This two-year program will train fellows in formal queer frameworks in science education, with research rotations with critical studies and science education scholars, that will lead to the completion of a research project during the two-year fellowship (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2026).

Development and training. Postdoctoral fellows will work with the Co-PIs on their individual academic plan. The program will include a speaker series bringing in experts from across the country, a special journal edition on queering STEM, paid attendance at three conferences, and a final symposium. Fellows will participate in professional development curriculum to learn about applying to faculty jobs, professional networking, grant writing, time management and more. The goal is to prepare future faculty in queer methodologies to be more inclusive and expert scholars. Fellows will be in residence in Utah during the program and work in person. Opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers and teach, available to postdoctoral fellows who individual academic plan reflects desires to teach and mentor as part of their development.

Research. Fellows will have the option to: (1) investigate a small piece of a Utah faculty member’s project while applying a queer lens or (2) bring their own project, with data already collected, to queer. Prospective fellow application materials should specify whether they want to work on a faculty member’s project or bring their own data from their dissertation work or beyond (Information on the potential faculty mentors and projects are below). Postdoctoral fellows will also experience mentoring opportunities from the project’s advisory board.

Total Compensation: $79,940 ($70,000 salary, $9,940 in retirement), healthcare and vacation annually.

Travel Support: Three conferences paid for, two with research mentors and one of the fellow’s choice.

In addition to compensation, fellows will receive $3,000 in research funds for their project as well as the opportunity to mentor an undergraduate assistant. The program will also support the postdoctoral fellow with travel to three conferences (two with research mentors).

Reporting structure. The fellows will report to both (1) Dr. Ramón Barthelemy (physics and astronomy) and (2) Dr. Annie Fukushima (Ethnic Studies) as well as their rotation and permanent mentors.

Application instructions: Include a cover letter, curriculum vita, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Applicant cover letters should include a description of which mentor(s) and why this mentor, or a description of project/data to be analyzed during the fellowship. Materials can be submitted to Ramon.S.Barthelemy@Utah.Edu with the subject line “Queering STEM Education Application.” The applications will be reviewed by both Drs. Barthelemy and Fukushima. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Applicants with a PhD earned in the past 4 years are encouraged to apply, with candidates from STEM, social sciences, education, science and technology studies, and humanities strongly considered. This fellowship is designed for recent graduates with an interest in faculty careers at research intensive universities.

Benefited Staff

01/15/2024

PRN37299B

Post Doc Fellow w/Ret

Postdoctoral Fellow: Science Education or Science Studies

A00

Administrative

No

40

Full Time

Day

M-F 8AM-5PM

Academic Affairs

00127 - Physics and Astronomy

Campus

Salt Lake City, UT

External Posting

70000

04/01/2024

No