KCVS Postdoctoral Fellow, visualization, systems thinking, and chemistry

The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science (www.kcvs.ca), a research and dissemination centre of The King’s University, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the King’s Centre for Visualization in Science, working under the direction of Dr. Peter Mahaffy, KCVS director and Professor of Chemistry.

The successful candidate will contribute as a senior collaborator to all aspects of the work of KCVS. One particular focus will be on contributing at a high level to international collaborations that create resources, interactive visualizations, and pedagogical strategies to equip educators in helping students use systems thinking to relate chemistry concepts to global challenges. Research and implementation activities will simultaneously develop chemistry content, conceptual visualization via concept maps and dynamic scaffolding made possible by the interactive KCVS System-Oriented Concept Map On-Line Construction Kit (SOCKit) application. The postdoctoral fellow will also contribute to mixed-method research evaluations to explore the efficacy of scaffolding strategies for building interactive system maps and propose useful next steps in promoting systems thinking for enhanced learning of chemistry.

The postdoctoral fellowship is for a two-year term at a starting salary of $52,489 per year plus benefits. The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science at the King’s University in Edmonton, AB offers a collaborative and supportive research environment with strong partnerships at local, national and international levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Conduct high-quality independent research to create resources, interactive visualizations, and pedagogical strategies to help students relate chemistry to important global contexts

· Develop approaches and tools for using system mapping in the learning of chemistry

· Collaborate on mixed-method educational research

· Co-author journal publications and present at national and international chemistry conferences

· Assist with writing grant applications

· Collaborate with academic and industrial research partners and members of international project research teams focused on systems thinking and sustainability and the responsible practice of chemistry

· Co-supervision of undergraduate students

QUALIFICATIONS:

· PhD in chemistry, chemistry education, or closely related discipline

· Strong familiarity with university chemistry curriculum

· Experience carrying out discipline-based education research in chemistry or physics

· Strong interest in visualization in science

· Experience with coding to contribute to the development of interactive visualizations using html5/JavaScript/CSS and other programming environments commonly used to create interactive scientific visualizations.

· A track record of peer-reviewed publication in international journals

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with teams of scientists and educators

· Fluent in oral and written English

About The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science

Established in 2005 as a legacy of the NSERC Centres for Research in Youth Science Teaching Learning (CRYSTAL-Alberta) program, the King’s Centre for Visualization in Science (www.kcvs.ca), provides digital learning resources used by a half-million students, educators, and the public from over 100 countries each year. Current research priorities are at the interfaces of chemistry education, systems thinking and sustainability, the uses of interactive visualization tools to facilitate the learning of science, and the responsible uses of chemistry. KCVS collaborates with partners around the world and has contributed significantly to several project task forces of the International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), focused on systems thinking and sustainability and the responsible practice of chemistry.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, contact information for 2 references and a cover letter explaining interest in the position, highlighting your publications and experience most relevant to the position. Applications and inquiries for more information should be sent to Peter.Mahaffy@kingsu.ca

The target start date is early November, 2016 (some flexibility). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The King’s University

9125-50 Street, Edmonton, Alberta

Canada, T6B 2H3

Visit our KCVS website at www.kcvs.ca; Visit the King’s University website at www.kingsu.ca

We appreciate all applicants for considering The King's University as a potential employer, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.