PART TIME RESEARCH POSITION

READS for Summer Learning

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Location:  Durham, NC

Faculty at Harvard Graduate School of Education and the University of Virginia have been awarded five years of funding through a U.S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement I3 Grant to investigate the effects of READS for Summer Learning, a voluntary summer reading intervention for elementary school children.  Dr. James Kim of the Harvard Graduate School of Education is the principal investigator, and Dr. Thomas White of the University of Virginia is a co-investigator.  The mission of READS for summer learning is to improve reading comprehension by fostering children’s engagement with books over the summer.

Position Description.  We are currently seeking part-time interviewers to visit families of elementary school students from the Durham Public Schools in their homes.  Interviewers will conduct interviews with parents and children and observe the home literacy environment.  These home visits will take place from May to September.  The interviewers will have discretion in scheduling the home visits during the specified interview periods.  A paid training for the interviewers will take place in April.  This position is ideal for graduate students interested in literacy and / or parent-child interactions, as well as students interested in gaining experience in interview and observation research methods.

Qualifications: B.A. or M.A. in the social sciences (e.g., psychology, anthropology, sociology, education); high level of organizational skills and excellent communication skills; ability to work with parents and children.  Fluent oral and written Spanish a plus.  Knowledge of the Durham community and / or Durham Public Schools a plus.  Driver’s license and access to a car required.

Compensation:  The researchers will be paid as independent consultants on a per-visit basis.  The training will also be compensated.  Mileage will be reimbursed at government rates.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and qualifications, curriculum vitae, and 2-3 reference letters to James Kim at james_kim@gse.harvard.edu.  The email should also be copied to: lac922@mail.harvard.edu.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled.  Harvard Graduate School of Education is an equal opportunity employer.