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Equity-minded discipline-based education researcher and administrator Postdoctoral Fellow (JPF08525)

Equity-minded discipline-based education researcher and administrator Postdoctoral Fellow Apply now to Equity-minded discipline-based education researcher and administrator Postdoctoral Fellow
Job #JPF08525

• CENTER FOR EDUCATION INNOVATION AND LEARNING IN THE SCIENCES / L&S Life Sciences / UCLA

Position overview
Position title: Equity-minded discipline-based education researcher and administrator
UCLA’s Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences (CEILS)
Salary range: See Table 23 for the salary range for this position: Table 23 Postdoctoral Scholar (ucop.edu). A reasonable estimate is $64,480-$66,868.
Review timeline: Initial review 8/16/2023

Application Window

Open date: June 15, 2023

Next review date: Sunday, Jul 16, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Aug 13, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Postdoctoral Scholar, 2023-2025 Fiscal Year Equity-minded discipline-based education researcher and administrator
UCLA’s Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences (CEILS)

The Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences (CEILS) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites applicants for a position of Postdoctoral Scholar, hereafter referred to as Equity-minded DBER Fellow. This position is a full-time, 24-month appointment, with a start date of September 1, 2023. Salary range is commensurate with experience. This position will be under the direct supervision of Dr. Shanna Shaked, CEILS Senior Associate Director.

Overview of the Position:
The Equity-minded DBER Fellow will administer, assess and instruct two major initiatives within CEILS and the LS Core: LS192: Introduction to Collaborative Learning Theory and Practice and LS 495: Preparation for College-Level Teaching in the Life Sciences. LS 192 is a 1-unit upper division pedagogy seminar that is part of UCLA’s Learning Assistant (LA) program (https://ceils.ucla.edu/learningassistants/ ). LS 495 is a 2-unit graduate level course for teaching assistants (TAs) in the Life Sciences Division who are teaching for the first time in the division. Both of these courses require experience and knowledge of inclusive STEM education practices, especially those involving collaborative learning. Formative assessment along with program evaluations are key components to advocate for institutional change in pedagogical practices, which will be a primary focus of this position.

LS192: Introduction to Collaborative Learning Theory and Practice

This position involves teaching and managing assignments for the LA program (LS 192B-E, Chem 192F, Physics 192M, and CS 192). It requires experience and knowledge of inclusive STEM education practices, especially those involving collaborative learning. This position will work directly with faculty to raise awareness about the program and recruit them to participate as faculty mentors for LAs in their own courses as well as recruit, hire, supervise, train, and evaluate undergraduate LAs; assess the LA Program and use results to iteratively improve and optimize the program, taking a scholarly approach to this work, disseminating and publishing the findings as appropriate.

Responsibilities:

Evaluate and sustain the courses currently served by the LA Program as well as expand the number of LA-supported courses in science and math departments:

● Recruit STEM faculty across physical and life sciences to implement LAs in their course design, using a variety of techniques: advertising at workshops and seminars, networking with faculty, targeting gateway course instructors for recruitment, promoting, website, etc.

● Partner and collaborate with other faculty and administrators currently or interested in working with undergraduates in ways similar to the LA Program, including, for example, UAs and PLFs in life and physical sciences, engineering, the Academic Advancement Program (AAP), PEERS, the library, and the writing center.

Recruit, hire, supervise, train, and evaluate undergraduate LAs:

● Organize recruitment, selection, and training of more than 150 LAs per quarter, managing applications, course assignments, and specific duties for each course.

● Recruit, select, and manage a set of more than 15 paid “Head LAs” per quarter to help ensure LAs are supported, mentored, and held accountable for their duties.

● Manage and guide 2-3 paid program development LAs, as they help to improve the program; responsibilities include devising common applications across courses, co-facilitating orientations for Head LAs, and other elements that emerge from the evaluation to improve the program on an ongoing basis.

● Teach the LA pedagogy seminar (LS 192A; cross-listed in other science departments), in which LAs learn about, discuss, and practice evidence-based instructional strategies that foster equitable class discussions and help all students learn.

● Lead a team of co-facilitators (typically 2-3 other faculty using LAs in their courses and 5-10 experienced, “Head LAs”) who assist with the LA pedagogy seminar (course 192A) as co-planners, guest lecturers, or peer mentors.

● Troubleshoot problems as they arise in various courses, such as issues with TAs or instructors who are not utilizing LAs to facilitate active learning or collaborative instruction.

Assess, improve, disseminate, and publish findings on the LA program:

● Lead the design and implementation of education research experiments, partnering with faculty who integrate LAs into their courses, colleagues in education research, and experts in assessment to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data as well as report significant results.

● Consistently solicit feedback from students, LAs, and instructors in all LA-supported courses, to continue improving the program structure, the LA pedagogy seminar (course 192A), and course-specific implementation.

● Disseminate findings at education research conferences, workshops, and presentations for institutional leaders; publish significant results in relevant peer-reviewed journals.

LS 495: Preparation for College-Level Teaching in the Life Sciences

This TA training course is designed for graduate students who are teaching assistants (TAs) in the Life Sciences Division and is to be taken concurrently with the term in which TAs are teaching for the first time in the division. The pedagogical knowledge, instructional methodologies, and peer observation strategies covered in this course are suitable for teaching in large enrollment undergraduate courses with secondary sections overseen by TAs (i.e., discussion sections, laboratory sections, computational laboratory sections). With an emphasis on creating inclusive learning environments for our students, topics in this course include active learning, peer instruction and other collaborative or group activities, reflective teaching models, assessment and course design approaches that promote transparency and equity in the classroom. This course also provides resources to support the lifelong learning and ongoing professional development of graduate students as teachers, scientists, and science communicators. By the end of this course, TAs will have observed and collected a portfolio of instructional materials and approaches to apply in their own courses as a TA and in their future careers. TAs also leave with knowledge about the literature supporting the merits of student-centered teaching practices as a means to promote the academic success and persistence of all UCLA undergraduate students.

Responsibilities:
● Curriculum and Instruction
● Prepare and deliver interactive, inclusive lectures for the graduate student teaching assistant (TA) training course, LS 495 (Preparation for College-Level Teaching in Life Sciences), incorporating evidence-based instructional practices; give students feedback on all assignments; and submit student grades in accordance with university policy.
● Organize and facilitate CEILS quarterly workshops on inclusive teaching, effective communication and organizational skills, and other areas critical to Faculty and TA training including self-care and balancing research and teaching.
● Organize and participate in course planning meetings with UCLA instructors and graduate student Teaching Assistant Consultants (TACs).
● Assess, improve, disseminate, and publish findings on the LS 495 program
● Assessment of the Life Science TA training program, making recommendations for curricular improvement, developing and implementing new instructional approaches and course materials.
● Administration
● Communicate effectively and cordially with departmental staff to coordinate scheduling of rooms for lectures and office hours; complete other administrative duties related to instruction and coordination of courses.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a PhD in a STEM discipline, demonstrated experience in undergraduate and graduate teaching at the university level, experience in curriculum development (i.e. design, evaluate and improve instructional materials), and familiarity with current research on the science of learning at the post-secondary level. Must possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills. English fluency is required. Ability to interact effectively in programs and activities involving faculty, staff, and students of differing social, educational, economic backgrounds. Ability to be flexible and pay attention to detail while keeping in mind the overall mission of the Center, College and University. Applicants who have work experience in community college are encouraged to apply. Preferred skills include experience with event planning and online communication strategies.

Application Instructions:
To apply, candidates should submit a 1-2 page cover letter expressing their interest in the position, curriculum vitae, a two-page teaching statement, a one-page diversity statement, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Candidates may also submit up to five pages in materials from their portfolio that they feel would assist the search committee with an evaluation of their application.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Salary Range: See Table 23 for the salary range for this position: Table 23 Postdoctoral Scholar (ucop.edu). A reasonable estimate is $64,480-$66,868.

Unit: https://ceils.ucla.edu/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

The successful candidate must have a PhD in a STEM discipline, demonstrated experience in undergraduate and graduate teaching at the university level, experience in curriculum development (i.e. design, evaluate and improve instructional materials), and familiarity with current research on the science of learning at the post-secondary level. Must possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills. English fluency is required. Ability to interact effectively in programs and activities involving faculty, staff, and students of differing social, educational, economic backgrounds. Ability to be flexible and pay attention to detail while keeping in mind the overall mission of the Center, College and University. Applicants who have work experience in community college are encouraged to apply. Preferred skills include experience with event planning and online communication strategies.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

• Statement of Teaching

• Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our EDI Statement FAQ document.

• Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

• Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide the contact information for three professional references.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08525

Help contact: ewells@lifesci.ucla.edu

Campus Information

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

Job location
Los Angeles
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