Carnegie Mellon University

Since its founding in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been a birthplace of innovation. Ranked #1 in Computer Science and #4 in Engineering by U.S. News & World Report, CMU is dedicated to producing creative and technically strong engineers who have a meaningful impact on their communities and accelerate positive technological change in the world. In 2011, CMU extended its global footprint into Africa as the Regional Center of Excellence for ICT based in Rwanda and the anchor tenant of Kigali Innovation City. In a region booming with opportunities, CMU is the only U.S.- based research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa.

Carnegie Mellon University Africa seeks a Postdoctoral researcher to join the EdTech Hub Training (EdTech) Project at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) in Rwanda. The EdTech Project is a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to enhance educational technology products for Africa by training EdTech entrepreneurs and their staff in learning sciences and learning experience design. The Postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for novel research on applied learning science in EdTech on the African continent focusing on evidence-based research from the data from 12 Tech Hubs. Additionally, this person will support the EdTech Hubs and Entrepreneur Fellows in the co- creation of knowledge and dissemination through scientific publications as well as popular science. This role will report to the EdTech Project Principal Investigator in CMU Pittsburgh and the Director of CMU Africa.

Core Responsibilities:

• Novel study and instrument design with associated qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, processing, and analysis
• Assisting edtech fellows to develop their own aspect of the research that lead to publications and grant applications
• Travel to tech hub sites when required.
• Having remote meetings with tech hub and edtech entrepreneurs
• Development of internal data structures, survey and other learning and impact measures to support future learning science research studies.
• Analyze data for meaningful impact on learners or other stakeholders (e.g. parents or teachers) to boost a unique African EdTech perspective on learning that is currently underrepresented in the global community.
• Allocate office hours for mentoring edtech fellows.
• Supervise undergraduate and master student research assistants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• Experience in evidence-based learning research with educational technology, formative evaluation in formal and/or informal learning settings.
• Strong interest in teaching cognition, learning from data, audio processing, personal informatics, and/or data visualization.
• Substantive experience using qualitative and/or quantitative methods including field observations, interviewing, educational data mining, and/or longitudinal data collection and analysis.
• Quantitative data collection, analysis, and presentation skills, including the ability to quickly learn new software programs and work with data in different environments and formats AND/OR qualitative and mixed methods data collection, analysis, and presentation skills, including instrument design, coding, and demonstration that intervention best practices have been maintained.
• Demonstrates an awareness and practice of the cultural competency needed to work with others in diverse international settings.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills in team collaboration settings.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• PhD in computer science and education, human computer interaction, instructional design, or other related fields
• Desirable
• Experience working in multicultural teams and fluent in English, any other language is an added value.
• Experience working in the African context.
• Experience doing research on educational technologies.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its community on a range of intellectual and cultural dimensions. We welcome any questions or concerns you may want to discuss about your application.

Compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience. CMU-Africa has competitive benefits (including comprehensive medical insurance, travel, and relocation allowances) and is an equal opportunity employer.

If you are an experienced researcher with a strong commitment to enhancing research on educational technology across Africa, we encourage you to apply today! Applications should include a cover letter describing qualifications, a CV, and contact information of 3 references.

Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Job Function

Pre/Post-Doctoral Associates & Fellows

Position Type

Postdoctoral Associate / Fellow (Fixed Term)

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

More Information: 

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. 
• Statement of Assurance