The School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks a Research Scientist. The UVA Innovation Hub at Charlottesville Middle School is a new college partnership laboratory school between the School of Education and Human Development, the Equity Center and Charlottesville City Schools. The mission of the UVA Innovation Hub is to engage all students in personally meaningful, computationally rich and interdisciplinary learning experiences. The vision of the UVA Innovation Hub at Charlottesville Middle School is to provide educational opportunities that inspire curiosity, fuel innovation, and empower all students to solve problems and pursue lifelong learning. The Research Scientist plays an important role in researching project-based, student-driven learning experiences in collaboration with UVA faculty, Charlottesville City Schools Division, and external audiences. This position involves conducting research studies, collaborating with UVA and other external researchers, and disseminating research outcomes to relevant audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct educational research focused on asset- and project-based learning with students and teachers in the UVA Innovation Hub at Charlottesville Middle School.

Organize internal and external research requests for the UVA Innovation Hub.

Review and maintain UVA Institutional Review Board human subjects research study protocols.

Research teacher learning through professional development sessions and student learning within project-based, computationally rich experiences.

Organize, maintain, and share data gathered as part of the UVA Innovation Hub activities with appropriate partners.

Disseminate and share research results with the governing board and other relevant audiences.

Publish research results in journals and at conferences.

Collaborate on grant proposals to pursue additional research funding.

Minimum Requirements
Education: Requires a doctoral degree or master's degree with significant experience.
 

Preferred skills

Experience with implementing and researching project-based learning in middle school settings.

Project management experience.

Experience disseminating research in peer-reviewed journals and practitioner audiences.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

​​Experience researching the integration of computer science in K-8 school settings.

Experience with researching project-based learning in middle school settings.

Willingness and eagerness to learn and grow individually and as part of the lab school team.

Demonstrated maturity, wise decision-making, and professionalism.

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. The Research Scientist will be located at UVA but also conducting research at Charlottesville Middle School and can expect to be physically present in classrooms and observing PBL experiences.

Application instructions  Apply Now. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile, search Find Jobs and then R0061557. Complete an application online and include the following documents:

A CV/resume

A cover letter

Contact information for 3 reference, including name, phone number and email address.

All documents can be loaded into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This position will remain open until filled. Review of applicants will begin in June. Anticipated start date: July 1.

For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks, Academic Recruiter. Before a formal offer of employment is extended, the selected candidate will undergo a background check per university policy.

This position is a restricted position, and is dependent upon project needs, availability of funding and performance. The position is for one year and can be renewed for up to four years based on funding. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This is a 12-month Exempt level, benefited position.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.