Job Information
University Of Denver Research Associate, Inclusion In Early Childhood STEM in Denver, Colorado
Position Summary
The Marsico Institute for Early Learning seeks a part-time, non-benefited Research Associate to support several grants and contracts, with a focus on advancing inclusive early childhood STEM education. The Research Associate role will include, but is not limited to, developing inclusive STEM instructional materials, testing inclusive STEM investigations with children birth to five, engaging in STEM research, analyzing and organizing data, providing technical assistance, and supporting all projects in promoting inclusion. The Research Associate will report to the designated lead for each grant and contract they will support.
This is a temporary, grant-funded position that will begin work on or after July 1, 2024, and end on September 31, 2025. The Research Associate must be available to work shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at least three days a week.
This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year.
Essential Functions
Research Activities
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to early childhood STEM education
- Organize data across multiple platforms ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.
Support data collection and management efforts, including cleaning, coding, and entering data. Collaboration and Teamwork
Work closely with internal research teams to align efforts and share findings.
- Collaborate with external partners, including academic institutions, industry partners, and community organizations.
Engage in interdisciplinary discussions and brainstorming sessions. Development of Educational Tools and Resources
Develop knowledge-building supports for the implementation of science, technology, and engineering learning trajectories, including implementation supports based on identified needs, video exemplars, and implementation guides.
- Contribute to the creation and adaptation of instructional content with a focus on both the implementation of inclusive practices as well as the learning trajectories approach.
Provide technical expertise in inclusion and accessibility for the creation of web content and other digital platforms. Technical Assistance and Service Development
Plan for and conduct technical assistance for early childhood education programs
- Implement educational and training programs for various audiences.
- Engage in technical assistance activities focused on using early intervention coaching strategies to support embedding STEM within everyday activities for infants and toddlers and implementing the learning trajectory approach within center-based programs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent classroom management skills.
- Ability to work with children of varying abilities and adapt content in the moment to allow for the greatest access to the content.
- Ability to develop rapport with both children and educational staff.
- Strong ability to engage, collaborate, and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including academic institutions, industry partners, and community organizations.
- Knowledge of early childhood special education practices.
- Knowledge of early childhood STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
- Experience with development of inclusive educational content.
- Exceptional writing skills.
- Close attention to detail.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Capability to successfully work both independently and as part of a team.
- Adaptability to shift priorities as needed.
- Experience with data collection and analysis.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field
- Professional experience working with young children or in a classroom setting
English language proficiency Preferred Qualifications
Doctorate in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field
- Experience as an instructor, instructional coach, and/or classroom teacher
- Experience in social science research
- Spanish language proficiency
- Related content knowledge and experience Work Schedule
Part-Time, varies. The average time commitment is 20 hours/week with some variability and flexibility. Occasional evenings and weekends as required. Regular local travel to campus is required. Occasional travel within the Denver-metro area is required.
This is a temporary, grant-funded position that will begin work on or after