A part-time (.70 FTE) Researcher 6 position is open in the Institute on Community Integration’s (ICI) National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) at the University of Minnesota.

The individual who fills this position will primarily work on the TIES Center: Increasing Time, Instructional Effectiveness, Engagement, and State Support for Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities project.

Primary duties will involve the provision of technical assistance on inclusive education, research design, data collection and management, data analysis, writing reports and journal articles, and making presentations at state and national conferences.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in special education, education, educational psychology, organizational leadership, or related field and substantial research and publication record.
• At least 5 years of research experience.
• Experience designing and completing analyses of research projects that use both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience in data collection procedures and data management.
• Evidence of good professional writing skills, including research reports, peer reviewed research articles, or other print and electronic publications and presenting at conferences and professional meetings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of students with significant cognitive disabilities in K-12 educational settings in the U.S.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel outside of Minnesota on a regular basis.
• Eligibility for Principal Investigator (PI) status within one year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in grant writing.
• Knowledge and/or experience working with students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• Strong organizational and communications skills.
• Experience writing professional development materials for educators, and providing technical assistance to states and districts.
• Experience in completing an IRB process for research studies in education, psychology or related discipline.

About the Job

Position Overview:

A part-time (.70 FTE) position is open in the Institute on Community Integration’s (ICI) National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). NCEO provides national leadership on the inclusion of students with disabilities, English Learners (ELs), and ELs with disabilities in comprehensive assessment systems. A person in this research position is expected to conduct currently funded and future research on issues related to the instruction and assessment of students with significant cognitive disabilities. Primary duties will involve research design, data collection and management, data analysis and writing technical reports as well as peer reviewed journal articles and making presentations at state and national conferences. The researcher in this position also will be expected to assist with grant writing and developing new research opportunities, including authoring proposals or sections of proposals. Preparing Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications is an essential component of this position.

The individual who fills this position will primarily work on the TIES Center: Increasing Time, Instructional Effectiveness, Engagement, and State Support for Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities project. The purpose of the TIES Center is to create sustainable changes in school and district educational systems so that students with significant cognitive disabilities can fully engage in the same instructional and non-instructional activities as their general education peers while being instructed in a way that meets individual learning needs. Project activities will support increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The primary outcome of the TIES Center is to improve the quality of instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities in inclusive environments through the use of existing curriculum and instructional materials. The TIES Center will provide models and coaching to both general education and special education teachers to create more inclusive opportunities. In addition, the TIES Center will support changes to inclusive practices and policies within partner state and local education agencies.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Research (75%)

• Formulate and develop appropriate methods for data collection based on project parameters and needs.
• Design, implement and manage research studies and projects independently and in collaboration with other researchers.
• Create research that includes both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies.
• Use the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as described in the research literature to collaborate with others to create a system for reviewing, updating and vetting instructional content.
• Engage in scholarship that will lead to reports and peer-reviewed journal articles, and that will provide useful information to policymakers, the federal government, states, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other researchers at NCEO and other institutions to assure current theoretical and analytical approaches.

Research Development and Management (25%)

• Supervise the work of professional staff and students in relation to specific project activities.
• Ensure IRB policies are followed for all research involving human subjects.
• Design, implement and manage research projects, including the management of project activities independently, the development and management of work plans, timelines, and resources to meet project goals.
• Independently develop and lead new lines of research.
• Facilitate state efforts to implement the requirements the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by providing research-based and policy-appropriate information.
• Plan and conduct events (teleconferences, webinars, meetings, etc.) for diverse audiences including state and federal department of education staff, educators, parents, and researchers.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

About the Department

Department Overview:

The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) is a federally funded center within the College of Education and Human Development. ICI's mission is to improve policies and practices to support the community inclusion of individuals with disabilities through collaborative research, training, and information sharing. The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) is a center within ICI that provides national leadership on the inclusion of students with disabilities, English Learners (ELs), and ELs with disabilities in comprehensive assessment systems. ICI is a mission-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities in Minnesota, nationally, and on an international level.

College Overview:
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is a world leader in discovering, creating, sharing, and applying principles and practices of multiculturalism and multidisciplinary scholarship to advance teaching and learning and to enhance the psychological, physical, and social development of children, youth, and adults across the lifespan in families, organizations, and communities. CEHD is the third largest college at the University of Minnesota, houses seven departments with ten undergraduate majors, over 30 graduate degree programs, and 25 centers and institutes. We are committed to diversity in our students, faculty and staff; 38.4% of our new first year students are students of color and more than 265 of our international students represent over 51 different countries

FFI: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/about/default.html.

CEHD and the University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. 

This position requires that you attach: 1) cover letter, 2) current resume, 3) a professional writing sample, 3) transcripts showing highest degree earned, and 4) contact information on at least 3 references.

This position will remain open until filled.

*To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Background Check Information

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.  Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

For additional information and to apply for this position, see https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs (Job ID: 330947).