Grand Challenges Initiative Teaching and Research Fellows

The Schmid College of Science and Technology and Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering at Chapman University invite applications for the sixth cohort of their postdoctoral teaching and research fellows’ program. The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages those with identities that have historically been underrepresented or excluded from STEM to apply. More information on diversity and inclusion at Chapman can be found at www.chapman.edu/diversity

Appointments will begin in late summer 2022 for one year with up to two years of extension contingent on performance and funding.  Fellows are outstanding early-career scientists who provide innovative teaching and mentorship to undergraduate students in our Grand Challenges Initiative (http://www.chapman.edu/GCI), as well as advance independent research in collaboration with a member of the faculty. Fellows joining our community are offered a competitive annual salary ($62,400), benefits, annual research support ($5000), and personalized professional development in teaching and research.

Chapman University, located in the heart of Orange County, California, offers traditional undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences and select pre-professional and graduate programs. The university is a nationally ranked R2 research institution with a commitment to excellence through world-class research and innovative teaching. Science and engineering programs at Chapman are growing rapidly and are now housed in the brand new Keck Center for Science and Engineering. More information is available here: www.chapman.edu/keckcenter

Qualifications

Postdoctoral Fellows must hold a Ph.D. or an equivalent of a doctoral degree by the beginning of employment at Chapman University. The doctorate or equivalent must have been awarded within the last five years and candidate must not have exceeded five years of prior postdoctoral experience. 

Responsibilities

Fellows are responsible for teaching foundational coursework on critical thinking, problem solving, communication and teamwork in science and engineering, particularly with respect to mentoring first and second-year student teams applying critical thinking to solving problems of global importance. These problems range from removing plastics from the ocean to designing low-cost and open-source hardware capable of predicting critical medical conditions. The Grand Challenges Initiative has dedicated lab and makerspace access to help students turn their ideas into reality.

In parallel, fellows develop their own independent research in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Fellows have full access to our new research facilities and receive significant support in growing their teaching, research, communication, project management, and grant writing skills. Approximately 70% of time is dedicated to research and 30% to teaching.

Contact Information

Candidates should submit the following electronically via Academic Jobs Online:
 https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20907

• cover letter
• curriculum vitae
• teaching statement (including knowledge and experience creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students)
• research statement
• letter of commitment from the proposed faculty mentor, who must hold a primary appointment in Schmid College or Fowler School of Engineering, detailing their commitment to collaborating with you and what professional development opportunities they can offer
• Chapman employment application
• names and contact information for three references (letters are requested only from short-listed candidates)

In the cover letter, the applicant should discuss their personal motivations and goals as they pertain to serving as a teacher and mentor in the Grand Challenges Initiative. The applicant must identify and name a prospective faculty mentor who holds a primary appointment in Schmid College or the Fowler School of Engineering and briefly describe the first research project you would undertake in collaboration with that mentor. We invite candidates from the fields of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science and policy, math, physics, food science, computer science and engineering, data science, electrical engineering, and software engineering.

File review will commence on February 21, 2022 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Questions can be addressed to the program director, Dr. Greg Goldsmith: grandchallenges@chapman.edu

Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate.

Chapman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community.  The university is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The university is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. More information on diversity and inclusion at Chapman can be found at http://www.chapman.edu/diversity/.