Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Overview Montana State University seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to research on cognitive diagnostic assessments and student learning in introductory STEM courses, focusing on Bayesian quantitative methods and mixed‑methods education research. Duties and Responsibilities Conduct quantitative analyses of educational datasets using Bayesian hierarchical models and other statistical approaches. Apply cognitive diagnostic models (e.g., DINA) and psychometric models such as Item Response Theory. Analyze large‑scale educational datasets using statistical software such as R. Support development of cognitive diagnostic assessments and item banks for introductory physics and calculus courses. Conduct mixed‑methods education research including qualitative coding and analysis of student responses and interviews. Collaborate with faculty, research staff, and graduate students on research projects. Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate student researchers. Assist with development of professional development materials for instructors. Prepare manuscripts, reports, and conference presentations. Contribute to development of research proposals and new research initiatives. Required Qualifications PhD in Physics Education Research, Physics, Mathematics Education, STEM Education, Statistics, or a closely related field. Experience conducting quantitative analysis using statistical software such as R or Python. Experience conducting educational, social science, or related research. Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings through publications or conference presentations. Preferred Qualifications Experience with Bayesian statistical modeling. Experience with cognitive diagnostic models or psychometric modeling. Experience analyzing large educational datasets. Experience conducting mixed‑methods research combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Candidate Attributes Ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary research teams. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple research tasks and deadlines. Ability to translate research findings into practical resources for instructors. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Additional Information Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of external funding. Occasional travel for conferences or project meetings may be required. Application Documents Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter (max 2 pages) Research Statement (max 3 pages) References will automatically be contacted by email to request a reference letter once the application has been submitted. This job description is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements but provides a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. #J-18808-Ljbffr