Position Description

Applications are invited for an Active Learning Initiative post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Physics at Cornell University. The successful candidate will participate in a project to evaluate and redesign the introductory physics for life sciences (IPLS) courses in the department.

Job description:

The successful candidate will participate as a postdoc in Cornell University’s Active Learning Initiative. The Active Learning runs a yearly department grant competition that awards 3-year grants to support department projects to transform courses. The majority of the funding supports postdocs who collaborate with faculty on designing and implementing course changes. Ultimately, these grants aim to improve instruction based on evidence-based teaching practices and promote widespread change in teaching culture.

The Cornell Physics ALI grant will focus on the evaluation and redesign of the Cornell Physics IPLS courses. The successful candidate will work with the department chair, PER faculty member Prof. Natasha Holmes, and a team of faculty instructors and advisors to (a) evaluate the current courses and identify areas for improvement, (b) review best practices in the physics education research (PER) literature and at other institutions, (c) design revised instructional strategies and materials for the Cornell IPLS courses, (d) support instructors to implement those revised materials, and (e) assess the effectiveness of the new materials.

The successful candidate will be integrated into the Cornell Physics Education Research Lab (led by Prof. Natasha Holmes) and the broader discipline-based education research community at Cornell, which includes faculty, postdocs, and students across physics, biology, engineering, and other STEM fields. They will also be integrated into the Active Learning Initiative program, including professional development and training with other postdocs in the program.

Logistics:

Employer: Cornell University

Location: Ithaca, NY

Start date: Summer 2024

Salary: Starting salary of $65,000 + benefits. Relocation and research funding assistance provided. 

Time commitment: Full-time

Length of appointment: Annual contracts with renewal for up to three years

Preferred qualifications include any of the following:

·         Ph.D. in any area of physics.

·         Familiarity with active learning strategies and awareness of physics education research literature.

·         Ability and desire to work both independently and collaboratively, including to liaison with faculty.

·         Project leadership, time management, communication, and writing skills.

·         Exposure to research on IPLS courses an asset, but not required.

·         Enthusiasm to learn new methods, bodies of literature, etc.

To apply:

Submit a CV, cover letter, and a brief statement of interest including relevant background and experiences, as well as the names and email or phone contacts of three professional references through the Academic Jobs Online portal.

Please also contact Prof. Holmes with any questions (ngholmes@cornell.edu).

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