Postdoctoral Scholar

Join Dr. Ilana Umansky’s research team in the University of Oregon College of Education as a postdoctoral scholar and contribute to a groundbreaking, Spencer Foundation-funded project exploring how dual language education can expand opportunities and reduce inequities in high schools. Beginning September 2027, this hybrid position offers hands‑on experience with rigorous quantitative research, close collaboration with College of Education faculty and school district partners, mentorship in bilingual education and policy, opportunities for scholarly publication, and a flexible work environment in Eugene, Oregon.

Department: Center on Teaching & Learning

Rank: Postdoctoral Scholar

Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

December 16th, 2026; position open until filled

Department Summary

This postdoctoral position is housed within the Center on Teaching and Learning (CTL) research center within the University of Oregon’s College of Education (COE). The COE is consistently ranked in the top ten of the best public colleges of education in the country. With three departments, over a dozen research and outreach units, and undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs, the COE is the top‑ranked academic unit at the University of Oregon and is leading research and training nationally and internationally in education policy, school reform, positive youth development, early intervention, and special education. Because CTL collaborates closely with the COE's academic units, CTL researchers have the opportunity to partner across these areas and gain beneficial collaborative experience.

CTL is one of the largest research centers at the University of Oregon with a mission to conduct, translate, and disseminate research that focuses on the solutions and resolutions to serious but practical problems in school systems. CTL’s current research focuses on the rigorous evaluation of instructional strategies and materials and educational policy research. CTL’s current portfolio of research projects is available on the CTL website ( ).

CTL administers upwards of $30 million across 28 grants and employs approximately 60 faculty and staff, including 18 doctoral level faculty with expertise in education research, implementation science, evaluation, policy analysis, advanced quantitative methods, and applied research design. Core leadership, research, and administrative staff have long tenure with the center, supporting continuity and institutional knowledge across multi year projects

For more information about CTL and the COE please visit or .

Position Summary

This full‑time Postdoctoral Scholar position will support the quantitative research component of “ExpandDL: Extending Dual Language Programs to Overcome Inequities; Developing a Roadmap for California High Schools,” an interdisciplinary and multi‑institution five‑year project. The project examines the implementation and effects of existing high school bilingual programs and supports the collaborative development of new programs, leadership, and policy. The position will be part of the University of Oregon research team under the direction of co‑principal investigator Dr. Ilana Umansky.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will collaborate with Dr. Umansky to conduct the study’s quantitative research, including working with school districts and large‑scale, student‑level longitudinal data and conducting descriptive and quasi‑experimental analyses. A smaller portion of the position will involve collaborating with Dr. Umansky, PI Dr. Leslie Banes (Cal State Sacramento), and other research team members on qualitative evaluation activities. Dr. Umansky will provide structured mentorship through regular individual meetings, ongoing guidance on research design and quantitative analysis, and support for scholarly writing, publication, research presentations, external funding development, and career planning. The mentoring relationship will also support the Postdoctoral Scholar’s development of subject‑matter expertise in multilingual student education and related federal, state, and district policy. As part of this mentored scholarly development, the Postdoctoral Scholar will be expected to lead the development, analysis, and writing of at least one independent or co‑authored peer‑reviewed publication arising from or related to the project.

This is a one‑year position with possible renewal for a second year. The position is based in Eugene, Oregon, with the option of a hybrid work schedule.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in quantitative research methods, education, education policy, or related field by start of position.
• Experience with human subjects research.
• Documented experience publishing research.
• Advanced training or experience in quantitative research methods, including descriptive and quasi‑experimental methods.
• Experience working with largescale longitudinal datasets.

Professional Competencies

• Strong academic writing skills.
• Advanced skills in quantitative data management.
• Substantive knowledge about education for multilingual students, immigrant students, or other historically disadvantaged student groups.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with schools or other community organizations and/or education agencies.
• Interpersonal skills that foster teamwork and collaboration; the ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team; the ability to coordinate multiple projects and staff; be proactive, efficient, and detail-oriented; and be receptive to feedback and communicate responsibly.
• Excellent scientific writing ability and effective communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish proficiency.
• Experience working in research practice partnerships with school districts or other education agencies.
• Experience working with state or district administrative longitudinal data.
• Qualitative data collection and analysis training and/or experience.
• Familiarity with IRB protocol preparation.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating in research workgroups.
• Demonstrated experience delivering professional workshops and conference presentations.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website .

The University of Oregon is an equal‑opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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