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The science of broadening participation has transformed STEM learning environments and workforces by asking fundamental questions about how well teaching practices, curricula, classrooms, student success cultures, workplaces, and career structures represent the needs and interests of the population as a whole. Project TIDES is a 3 year, interdisciplinary, NSF-funded project that is jointly administered through the Maine Research in STEM Education Center (RiSE) and the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. The purpose of project TIDES is to offer robust postdoctoral training that is focused on synthesizing highly effective teaching practices for disabled learners with research strategies for the systematic examination of questions of inclusion in STEM. Project TIDES aims to augment the training of doctorally qualified researchers with backgrounds in education, STEM education, or a STEM discipline such that they are well-positioned to engage in equity-minded research about questions that characterize the science of broadening participation. Project TIDES will hire up the three postdoctoral research associates whose doctoral training is in inclusive education, STEM education, or a STEM discipline. The vision for the project is that this cohort of postdoctoral research associates will work collaboratively to increase their research and teaching capacity to center the experiences of learners with disabilities. The positions are full-time, NSF-funded that will provide opportunities for postdoctoral research associates to position themselves as emerging leaders in equity-oriented STEM education and research.

The postdoctoral research associates hired into Project TIDES will be expected to work collaboratively with RiSE Center and COEHD faculty to develop a program of research and community engagement that brings together inclusive education, STEM education, and STEM disciplines more broadly. The postdoctoral research associates will be the core participants in NSF-funded professional development activities that include the following:

+ Intentional mentoring through a dyad structure wherein the postdoctoral scholar will be supported by an established scholar whose work focuses primarily on questions of STEM teaching and learning and an established scholar whose work focuses primarily on questions related to the full inclusion of disabled learners.

+ Professional development activities (e.g., workshops, short-duration training courses, journal clubs) designed to expose postdoctoral scholars to the broader landscape of cutting-edge scholarship related to intersectional approaches to the science of broadening participation and/or the full inclusion of disabled learners in STEM.

+ Supportive mentorship related to postdoctoral scholar-initiated independent research through the expansion of the University of Maine’s existing EMPOWER program (https://umaine.edu/empower/), which pairs early career scholars with established researchers to support a long-term project proposed by the mentee.

+ Participation in existing University of Maine research teams and/or research projects focused on the science of broadening participation for disabled and other minoritized learners.

In addition to these project-specific activities, the postdoctoral research associates will be expected to contribute to the broad research and service missions of the University of Maine while advancing the specific programmatic needs of RiSE and the COEHD. These include learner-focused activities that blend research with teaching and meaningful engagement with schools and communities throughout Maine.

Principal duties of the position will include: 1) developing a program of research that synthesizes inclusive education with STEM or STEM Education; 2) contributing expertise (e.g., disciplinary, educational, methodological) to ongoing research projects in RiSE and COEHD; 3) planning and conducting community outreach and engagement activities that connect research to practice; and 4) teaching. The salary for each NSF-funded, two-year, fixed-length position is $65,000 - $68,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Complete Job Description (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R\_edUXHmAAN6qlKxIYQ1ke0xzS9-HL4K/view?usp=sharing)

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism (https://themainehighlands.com/places-to-visit/greater-bangor-region/) to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.

Qualifications:

Required:

+ A completed Ph.D. in a discipline related to inclusive education, STEM education, or a STEM discipline by position start date.

+ An established record of work (e.g., scholarship, teaching, community engagement) in STEM specific areas.

+ An established record of work (e.g., scholarship, teaching, community engagement) that prioritizes inclusivity, universal design for learning, and broadening participation in STEM.

+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proven experience working effectively with faculty and graduate students.

+ Strong analytical, organizational, and planning skills.

+ Ability to plan, organize, and implement research activities with independence and only moderate supervision.

+ Indicators of likely success in publishing research findings in peer-reviewed outlets.

+ Demonstrated ability with basic computing and technology skills used within a professional environment.

+ Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in collaborative environments, including with stakeholders and other non-technical parties.

+ Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate clear goals and to synthesize research findings for both technical and non-technical audiences.

+ Ability to work both independently and as a productive member of a team.

+ Ability to travel both in- and out-of-state, usually requiring a valid driver's license with reimbursement at the contract rate.

+ Demonstrated organizational oral communication skills.

+ Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.

Preferred:

+ Evident potential for scholarly productivity.

+ Potential for securing external funding to support research and TIDES activities.

+ Potential to contribute to academic program administration and development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

+ Prior research experiences with STEM Education, inclusive education, or universal design for learning.

+ Experience working with communities and tribal entities.

+ Applicants must be eligible to begin employment in the United States by the start date.

Other Information:

To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on June 30, 2025.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://umaine.edu/police/clery-annual-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.