Researcher Position

Join Dr. Piasta’s Early Literacy and Learning Lab (EL3) in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University to support analysis and dissemination activities for an Institute of Education Sciences-funded emergent literacy intervention project! The EL3 is a research group within the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. We are committed to collaboratively conducting and sharing high-quality education research, particularly research concerning children’s language and literacy development and how to best support such development in classrooms.

This position is specific to the BrightStart! emergent literacy interview project. The following links provide a sense of this project as well as other research conducted by Dr. Piasta and within the EL3:

• Sample publications
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2020.08.002
  • https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194221079355
  • https://doi.org/10.1177/10538151231155411
• Nemours BrightStart! Emergent Literacy Intervention
• Https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2020.08.002
• Https://doi.org/10.1177/10538151231155411
• Https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194221079355
• Https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details‌.asp?ID=1803

• Best Practices in Alphabet Instruction
• Promoting Preschoolers’ Early Language Learning
• Let’s Know!2

• Assessing Preschool Professionals’ Learning Experiences
• READ podcast, E44
• Teachers’ Content Knowledge of Oral Language
• See Speak Hear podcast, E43

• Circle Time podcast, ABCs + PA
• Dr. Piasta’s Google Scholar profile
• Teaching Literacy podcast, E37

More information about the NBS! intervention (from past studies conducted by the Nemours team) can be found in these publications: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022219409335218 and https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2018.1475202

Position Overview

A half-time Researcher will be hired to dedicate 20 hrs per week (50% effort) to the Nemours BrightStart! (NBS!) project from September 2023-June 2024. NBS! is an IES-funded project examining the efficacy of a small-group emergent literacy intervention implemented in local early childhood classrooms. At OSU, the NBS! project is led by Dr. Shayne Piasta (PI). Co-investigators include Dr. Jessica Logan (Vanderbilt University), Dr. Cynthia Zettler-Greeley and Dr. Kandia Lewis (Nemours Children’s Health System) and Dr. Laura Bailet (retired from Kaplan Early Learning Company). The current research team also includes Dr. Alida Hudson and Dr. Ye Shen. The position includes opportunities for scholarly and career development, as mentored by Dr. Piasta.

Field activities for the NBS! project have concluded. The team is currently engaged in data analysis and dissemination activities, along with procurement of participating children’s longitudinal state reading achievement data. The Researcher will assist with these and other administrative activities but primarily spend their time engaging in analysis and dissemination as supported by the rest of the research team. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and research interests in any of the following areas: (1) intervention implementation/implementation integrity, (2) intervention response/moderators of response, (3) longitudinal associations between preschool emergent literacy skills/experiences and later outcomes, (4) measurement and quantitative methodology. Additionally, the Postdoctoral Researcher may lead supplemental studies to further project goals, such as new coding efforts capitalizing on collected data (e.g., videotaped lesson observations). The Researcher will present their work at conferences and through scholarly publications and have access to travel funds.

The position may be in-person or fully remote. There may be opportunities to increase weekly hours and/or extend the postdoctoral experience via new projects, pending funding.

Requirements

The successful candidate for this position will have the following:

• Strong background in emergent literacy/early reading development and statistical analysis
• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident due to funding source
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Expertise in at least one of the following areas: early childhood education, implementation science, literacy intervention, quantitative analysis
• Interest in pursuing a research agenda in one of the listed areas
• A recently earned doctoral degree in Education, Psychology, Speech-Language Sciences, Human Development, or a related field by date of hire
• Working knowledge of SPSS and multilevel modeling
• Working knowledge of human subjects protections and IRB
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a research team

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare the following materials: (1) a cover letter detailing the applicant’s Ph.D./Ed.D. graduation date, research interests and areas of competence (substantive expertise, methodological/statistical skills), long- and short-term career goals, and how interests, competencies, and needs align with the research project; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) scholarly writing sample; and (4) names and contact information for three references and submit directly to Dr. Piasta ([email protected]). The position will be posted on the OSU Job Site, and the formal OSU application must also be completed when available. Application reviews will begin on August 1, although you are welcome to send your materials at any time and/or reach out to Dr. Piasta for more information.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The target salary for this 50% FTE position is $27,000.

Term (Fixed Term) 20 First Shift