STEM Education Research
Postdoc Program at RIT
About Our Program
We plan to establish a cohort of four postdoctoral researchers to conduct cutting-edge research and participate in impactful professional development to build their careers. The postdocs will be affiliated with RIT’s Science and Mathematics Education Research Collaborative (SMERC), an interdisciplinary group of discipline-based education researchers from physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry, science communication and engineering.
Postdocs will be paid an annual salary of $70,000 plus full benefits, and funds will be provided for postdocs to attend several professional meetings each year to present their research, learn and network.
About RIT
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a large, private institution located in beautiful western New York. A unique demographic of RIT is our large deaf and hard-of-hearing population. RIT is best known for its computing and engineering programs, but we also have excellent programs in the basic sciences, which are housed in the College of Science. Although not all of the departments have Ph.D. programs, the School of Physics and Astronomy is launching a new Physics Ph.D. program that will include an option to engage in physics education research. The College of Science particularly embraces experiential learning (co-ops, undergrad research), strives for small classes with active learning, and promotes social justice and equity.
Timeline and Commitments
Applications are now being accepted! For full consideration, applications should be received by March 31. More information on applying is here.
Postdocs will start in summer/fall 2023 and finish in 2025. Exact start date is flexible. Teaching one class per year in their discipline/pedagogy is encouraged and will be arranged with the home department.
In addition to conducting research and engaging in the professional development listed below, postdocs will participate in the weekly SMERC journal club and the weekly SMERC work-in-progress meeting. They may also participate in mentoring undergraduate students during the academic year and/or summer REU program.
Professional Development Programs and Partnerships
The PEER Institute (Professional-development for Emerging Education Researchers) was created to facilitate the growth of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and “boundary crossing” faculty new to DBER. Postdoctoral researchers will attend a week-long introductory field school in their first year, followed by Advanced Institutes in ensuing years to ensure a broad methodological expertise.
This year-long, biweekly workshop run through the RIT College of Science (COS) focuses on inclusive research mentoring and classroom practices. Cohorts of approximately 10-15 faculty and postdoctoral researchers meet biweekly to read primary and secondary literature, share their experiences and knowledge of best practices, and discuss A-JEDI (antiracism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) issues as they arise both locally (RIT) and, more broadly, across the country.