MSCA Early Stage Researcher in SellSTEM, ‘Spatially Enhanced Learning Linked to STEM’

1-year fully funded PhD position as a MSCA Early Stage Researcher in SellSTEM, ‘Spatially Enhanced Learning Linked to STEM’, a MSCA ITN in Spatial Cognition in STEM Learning at the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering/CREATE Research Group, Technological University Dublin

The School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering/CREATE Research Group, Technological University Dublin, Ireland and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN) project SellSTEM offers an Early Stage Researcher (ESR and PhD Student) position within the doctoral programme at TU Dublin (ESR11).

About SellSTEM

Spatially Enhanced Learning Linked to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SellSTEM) is an international research and training network funded by MSCA-ITN under H2020, Project No. 956124. It aims to find new ways to raise the spatial ability levels of boys and especially girls across Europe so they are better prepared for the cognitive demands of STEM education.  SellSTEM has 15 ESR positions spread across three work packages.  The SellSTEM network consists of 10 universities and 8 non-academic partners in Europe.  SellSTEM will implement best practice in doctoral training through a carefully developed and comprehensive training programme and secondment of ESRs to different SellSTEM partners.  For more details visit sellstem.eu.  SellSTEM currently has a vacancy for 12 months for the position of ESR11.

Thesis project:

Teacher professional development to foster the development spatial ability of school children beyond existing levels.

(Note: the successful candidate will be expected to independently steer the direction of the thesis and the research questions while remaining within this theme).

Twelve (12) months of funding will allow a student who is starting or continuing their PhD to make substantial progress as they will be joining an established research group and network.  It would also allow an existing PhD student to bring their studies to completion, or close to that point, provided they can remain within the above theme.  Funding for PhD fees and research costs will be provided.  

Background and objectives of the thesis project:

The literature contains many examples of interventions in teaching practice designed from a spatial cognition perspective that have led to notable improvements in STEM learning but less is known about how to organize professional development for teachers so they embrace these new ideas in a way that is sustainable into the future.  The objectives of this study are to examine barriers and enablers to the teaching and development of spatial ability in classrooms by working with and collecting data from teachers in Ireland and other countries in Europe using both qualitative and quantitative methods so that professional development in this area can be effectively developed.  The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute significantly to completing the SellSTEM deliverables, including a guide to training teachers to raise spatial ability levels of children in the classroom.

Salary

The successful candidate will be recruited by the university on an employment contract for 12 months and enrolled on a doctoral degree programme.  The role carries an attractive salary based on the gross rate defined by MSCA ITN 2018-20 which can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/183hikf4. Note the gross amount is adjusted by a correction coefficient for Ireland and employer as well as employee payroll taxes and social security costs will be deducted to provide the net salary or take home pay.  Costs associated with research and training are covered under a separate budget allowance.