Postdoctoral Researcher

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Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Type:

Other Academic

Department:

LSUAM Science- BioS - Discipline Based Education Researcher (Maryrose Weatherton (00088563))

Work Location:

0282 Life Sciences Building

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

Job Description:

The Weatherton Research Lab at Louisiana State University seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead the design and validation of a new survey instrument in undergraduate STEM education. The postdoc will advance a mixed methods program of research that integrates qualitative insight with rigorous quantitative measurement in order to produce a reliable, valid tool for studying students' resource use, perceptions and related outcomes. Core activities include synthesizing literature to ground construct definitions, conducting cognitive and focus group interviews to refine items, piloting and revising the instrument, and executing psychometric analyses such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The postdoc will coordinate IRB submissions, manage pilot studies and data workflows, maintain clear documentation of the development process, and help disseminate findings through manuscripts and conference presentations. The position offers close mentoring, opportunities to collaborate across DBER and education research networks at LSU, and support for professional development.

Duties Include:

25% Conduct literature reviews, cognitive interviews, and focus group interviews to inform survey item development.

25% Prepare manuscripts, presentations, and other dissemination materials related to survey development and findings.

20% Perform quantitative analyses, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, to assess the reliability and validity of the survey instrument.

20% Design, pilot, and revise survey items based on qualitative findings, expert feedback, and best practices in instrument development.

10% Manage project activities such as IRB submissions, pilot testing, data management, and documentation of the survey development process.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in Biological Science or related field with some experience conducting mixed methods data collection and analysis and strong writing skills and a record of (or strong potential for) publishing peer-reviewed research.

Advanced Job Competencies in the following required:

Survey and Instrument Development; Quantitative Measurement and Psychometrics; Qualitative Methods for Instrument Design; Research Project Management and Compliance; Scientific Writing and Dissemination; Collaboration, Mentoring, and Communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

PhD in Biological Sciences with 4-6 years experience with background in discipline-based education research (DBER) or related fields; previous experience conducting survey research; and familiarity with coding in R software.

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Please submit a current cv and contact information of 3 references. An official transcript showing highest degree obtained will be needed prior to hire. For questions or concerns regarding the position, please contact Lori Bond at lbond3@lsu.edu.

Posting Date:

October 24, 2025

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

January 30, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Background Check- An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits- LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university's ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

HCM Contact Information:

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email HR@lsu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.