Division of Natural and Physical Sciences

Position Description:

The Division of Natural and Physical Sciences seeks applicants to be a part of our Intensive Pedagogical and Research Experience Program (iPREP) for the 2020-2021 academic year. iPREP is new postdoctoral training program for or near-term completion of recent PhD recipients aspiring to STEM education and Vanguard will be hiring 2 Postdoctoral Fellows for the 2020-2021 year. The program will combine rich professional pedagogical development and practical hands-on training in the classroom while receiving guidance from a dedicated mentor. Although applicants can come from any discipline, all applicants must have a commitment to promoting health and a commitment to working with and encouraging diversity. Depending on the successful applicant’s expertise, courses to be taught may include 1) General, Organic, and Biochemistry and/or its associated lab, 2) Biochemistry and/or its lab, 3) General Chemistry and/or its associated lab, or 4) Introductory or General Biology and/or its associated lab 5) Linear Algebra, Calculus, Higher Geometry and History of Math. Finally, Environmental science applicants should have experience in either geology, GIS, Field Biology and ecology and introductory environmental sciences.

Essential Functions:

• Fellows will be encouraged to reach courses that involve a significant team-teaching component and/or courses that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries
• Attend STEM Pedagogical Workshops that are specifically designed to improve STEM undergraduate education 
• Receive initial training and mentorship by observing weekly courses taught. Each participant then designs, teaches, and receives feedback on a 30-minute guest lecture-first in a practice session, then as an incorporated feature of the science/math course
• Development of increasing skill in teaching at the introductory and advanced levels
• Research collaboration with students on professional quality research/creative projects that stem from the Fellow’s emerging research agenda
• Mentoring a significant number of students with the goal of promoting student’s academic, professional, and personal development
• The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate upper-division courses in their area of expertise
• Actively pursues research and/or creativity in their area of expertise
• Fellows will show initiative and leadership in engaging students from diverse backgrounds with varied academic and professional interests
• Coursework will be completed during three-hour block seminars consisting of 3 units of Teaching Seminars and 3 units of specific STEM pedagogical Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) in the classroom
• Challenge thinking, foster debate and develop the ability of students to engage in critical discourse and thinking
• Collaborate with department faculty in curriculum implementation, student support, and continuous program improvement
• Identify risks to the organization within the department and discuss risk reduction options with immediate supervisor