Physics Education Research Postdoc

[Cluelessluke]

Hello all!

I'm getting my PhD in theoretical cosmology in August and I'm trying to figure out the intersection between what I WANT to do and what I CAN do.

Does anyone know much about Physics Education Research? I find education fascinating and I'm seriously considering applying to some great high school physics teacher positions.

However, I don't want to jump head first into that realm without first considering other options.

How marketable would I be in applying for a Physics Education Research postdoc position? I'm not sure if I have a TRUE relevant background for such research but notable things I've done are...

Founded "Science Club" - An after school program to get middle schoolers to "have fun with science".
TAed physics Labs
Tutored physics students
STEMM instructor at a local private high school
Actual physics research (to get my PhD)

Does anyone have a gauge if I'd have a shot at getting a postdoc in a physics education research department?

Thanks so much for your time!

Luke

 

[Bystander]

a postdoc in a physics education research department?

Slave labor for public schools? Somebody will snap you up in a NY minute. Are you prepared to do PC physics?

 

[Choppy]

In my (albeit limited) experience with physics education research, it seems that most people involved in it have branched into it from specializing in other areas. A friend of mine, for example, has a teaching-focussed position at a smaller liberal arts college in the US, but has contributed to research on the impact of gender in physics classrooms. I think many others tackle physics education problems that arise as they teach.

Are there many people with grant money that can fund a post-doctoral position physics education research? I suspect such positions are very limited if they exist at all.