Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychology

Location:
New Orleans, LA
Open Date:
Mar 20, 2023
Description:

Our collaborative research team is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Youth Engagement. Drs. Stacy Overstreet and Samantha Francois (Co-PIs) at Tulane University are collaborating with Dr. Faith Kares at Beloved Community and Dr. Karen Evans, Executive Director of the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB) on a research study funded by the Spencer Foundation, entitled “We are worthy of being heard and included”: Engagement of youth voice in the evaluation of trauma-informed schools.

 

The study will take place in the context of the Coalition for Compassionate Schools, a National Child Traumatic Stress Category II Treatment and Service Adaptation Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The mission of the Coalition is to build the capacity of schools, students, and parents to create transformative change in education through the adoption, implementation, and sustainment of trauma-informed, healing-centered practices. The research study will utilize youth participatory action research methods to explore student experiences in trauma-informed schools. The goals of the study are to engage youth voice and leadership to determine whether trauma-informed schools are meeting their needs in the ways intended, and if not, to gain insight into how approaches should be modified to achieve their desired impact.   

 

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will assume a leadership position in the day to day conduct of the research project. The fellow will:

• Develop project plan and lead research implementation including training workshops for youth participants and study logistics (e.g., youth researcher and participant incentives and stipends).
• Collaborate with school partners to establish a youth participatory action research (YPAR) team at each of three schools.
• Work closely with Beloved Community and CYPB to adapt existing YPAR training modules and deliver training to the YPAR teams; coordinate and facilitate regularly scheduled meetings with Beloved Community, CYPB, and other relevant collaborators.
• Provide regular support to the YPAR teams as they carry out their research responsibilities.
• Train and supervise a team of undergraduate research assistants who will assist in providing support to the YPAR teams.
• Participate in and support all dissemination efforts, with a particular focus on social media and public facing products.
• Organize and convene a summer training institute for youth researchers, and a findings dissemination summit.
• Participate in mentoring opportunities from our diverse team of scholars as well as opportunities to contribute to and lead conference presentations and publications.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, education, public health or related discipline by the position start date.  Two years experience with community-based participatory research and/or participatory action research, as well as more general qualitative research design and methodological expertise.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and demonstrated evidence of the ability to manage multiple projects with high accuracy in a high pressure, deadline-regulated environment.
• Experience working with youth, schools, and other community-based organizations; proven ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and work in a team setting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; capable of effectively communicating to a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of trauma-informed, healing-centered approaches in schools.
• An understanding of structural racism and its relation to health and academic disparities and a commitment to anti-racism, racial equity, and social justice.
• Skills to develop and maintain positive working relationships within the schools.
• Ability to write for a public and non-academic audience.
• Project management experience and ability to take a project from conception/design to implementation to dissemination.

 

The ideal start date for the 20-month position is May 2023; appointment is through December 2024.  The starting stipend is $61,992 with a 3.0% cost of living increase for the second year. The fellow will have access to up to $5,000 in moving expenses, paid travel to one conference per year, and mileage reimbursement for travel to research sites.

 

Tulane offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which can be accessed here: https://hr.tulane.edu/content/2023-benefits-enrollment-guide.  In addition, Tulane’s Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies offers a wide range of supports to fellows, including professional development and networking opportunities.  More information on these supports can be accessed here: https://ogps.tulane.edu/postdoctoral-fellow-resources.

Application Instructions:

Please send the following application materials to Stacy Overstreet (soverst@tulane.edu) and submit online at https://www.interfolio.com/. Reviews of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Email inquiries to Drs. Overstreet and/or Francois (sfrancoi@tulane.edu) are welcome.

 

1. A statement of interest that highlights your experiences in youth engagement, participatory and qualitative research.

 

2. A curriculum vitae

 

3. A diversity statement that highlights your experiences working with diverse populations and your vision for advancing an anti-racist and social justice agenda in the context of this position.

 

4. Three names/contact information for references

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Please Note: Tulane University has officially adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. All employees and visiting faculty must be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccination or obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption prior to beginning employment.

Tulane University is located in New Orleans - a city with tremendous history of diverse cultures, community, and languages. Tulane is actively building a campus culture grounded in our values of EDI and anti-racism. We seek and welcome candidate applications from historically underrepresented groups, such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), women, LGBTQ+, those living with disabilities, and veterans.  

Tulane University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution committed to excellence through diversity and creating a community and culture that fosters a sense of belonging for all. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO and will not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state, or local law.  It is important to us to intentionally seek candidates who are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in support of Tulane’s Strategy for Tomorrow and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.