Doctoral Assistantship in Science Education - Climate Education and Climate Literacy

Applications are invited for a 12-month (renewable) graduate assistantship as part of the Science Literacy Initiative and NE Collaborative for Food, Energy, & Water Education (NC-FEW) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the flagship, land-grant institution in the state of Nebraska with a total enrollment of more than 25,000 students. The IANR Science Literacy Initiative (https://ianrcommunities.unl.edu/science-literacy) and NC-FEW (http://www.unl.edu/nc-few/) involve a comprehensive, systemic effort to foster a scientifically-literate society capable of making effective decisions grounded in science-informed analyses of complex, real-world challenges associated with food, energy, and water systems. The graduate student would join a collaborative and growing team of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates led by Dr. Cory Forbes in the UNL School of Natural Resources. He or she will also be part of a dynamic and growing STEM education and DBER community at UNL.

The position focuses on climate education in high school science classrooms through a new, 4-year, NSF-funded project - High School Students' Climate Literacy Through Epistemology of Scientific Modeling (DRL 1720838). This mixed-methods, design-based research and development project involves the iterative design, implementation, and study of a 6-week climate science module for secondary science classrooms designed around EzGCM (Easy Global Climate Modeling), a web-based climate modeling suite designed to provide non-scientists experiences with climate modeling. In partnership with Columbia University and NE school districts, the individual in this position will be afforded opportunities to contribute to and collaborate with the PIs and project team members on curriculum development, classroom-based education research, teacher professional development, and dissemination through conference presentations, workshops, and peer-reviewed publications.

Candidates for this position should possess a strong disciplinary background in science and education. Preferred credentials would involve some combination of undergraduate and graduate work in climate-related science or science and education. Optimally, the student would pursue doctoral studies in climate education and science literacy through the Ph.D. program in Natural Resource Science in the UNL School of Natural Resources (http://snr.unl.edu/gradstudent/index.asp), though other UNL graduate programs may be possible options. Prior experience working with K-12 teachers and students is highly desirable. 

The position is initially established for a period of one year. Continuation of this position beyond one year is contingent upon satisfactory performance of assigned duties and continued availability of funding. Position includes a stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission. The start date for the position would be no earlier than August 15, 2017. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Please submit inquiries about the position to Cory Forbes at cory.forbes@unl.edu. To apply, applicants should email a letter of interest describing their background, interest, qualifications, and future goals, a resume/curriculum vitae, 2 writing samples, and names of 3 references to Dr. Forbes via email.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers.