Position: Graduate Student or Postdoctoral Associate in Discipline-Based Education Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Ballen Lab 

Start Date: Fall 2019, but timing is flexible 

The Ballen lab conducts research on biology education and STEM equity through investigations of the causes and consequences of gaps in science literacy, and how educators can design their courses to minimize barriers to success. By developing an integrated experimental and theoretical research program we explore how classroom and social influences shape student learning, personal and professional development, and educational and career trajectories. Here is our website. 

Here are some examples of broad questions we are addressing in the lab: 

What geographic, cultural, or institutional barriers predict patterns of attrition among historically underserved students in STEM at the undergraduate level? 

What types of scalable teaching strategies can instructors employ to reduce gaps in performance and participation? 

How do research experiences impact developing scientists’ personal and professional development and career trajectories? 

How can we use measures of physiological reactivity to study engagement in an undergraduate STEM classroom setting? 

For graduate students, Auburn supports a large community in our Department of Biological Sciences (DBS). Students can apply at the M.Sc. and Ph.D. level. While a background and course work in statistics is preferred, it is not required. Applicants should have a strong biology and analytical background, as demonstrated through transcripts, recommendation letters, or publication record. Application for admission to the DBS graduate program can be found here. Materials include a CV, personal statement, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation and official GRE score. If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, send me an email at mjb0100(at)auburn.edu for more information! 

Several of the DBS faculty are interested in a co-mentoring model where part of the dissertation would be focused on biology education research and part would be focused on a biology laboratory or field research question. If you are interested in this approach, please contact me and let me know which additional mentors are of interest to you. 

For postdocs, candidates for the position should have a PhD in biology, biology education, statistics, or other related field. To apply, please send me (mjb0100(at)auburn.edu) a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references. I will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. 

Auburn is a fantastic, affordable college town, and DBS is a vibrant and collaborative setting for discipline-based education research. We have great resources here to study education, offering a wide range of opportunities for expanding your skill set, including our friends over in the chemistry education research lab and the geosciences education research lab.