Description

Applicants should have interests in utilizing their scientific or engineering expertise to work with K-12 STEM outreach and education. Fellows will develop and implement interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum and gain experience teaching at the middle or high school level. Available positions will be in association with one or more of the following Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO) programs, all in partnership with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS):

• The Interdisciplinary Science and Research (ISR) program offers students at one of three MNPS high schools a four-year, interdisciplinary, research-centered learning experience as a course of study. Students pursue a curriculum that connects the different STEM disciplines through problem-based learning. The program partners a postdoctoral fellow with an MNPS teacher to collaboratively teach the problem-based curriculum.

• The Resident Scientist (RS) program places trained research scientists at local middle schools. The Resident Scientists collaborate with MNPS teachers to create interactive and engaging interdisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) lesson plans by incorporating authentic data and addressing real-world application.

• The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) offers high school students a four-year, interdisciplinary, research-centered learning experience. Twenty-six students per class in grades 9-12 attend SSMV on the Vanderbilt campus one day per week, progressing from class-wide projects covering all STEM disciplines to individual research projects in university laboratories. Ph.D. scientists serve as full-time instructors.

• The Day of Discovery (DoD) offers middle school students the opportunity to experience STEM topics in a hands-on manner through a weekly supplemental curriculum. Day of Discovery students meet either on Vanderbilt’s campus or at the Nashville Zoo.

The postdoctoral fellow will work with the CSEO Interim Director Dr. Angela Eeds, and other members of the CSEO team to design and co-teach curriculum, evaluate the programs and student learning, participate in grant writing for STEM outreach, and publish results. This person will work closely with other CSEO staff to bring his or her STEM expertise to a unique, multidisciplinary team. The Director will encourage the postdoctoral fellow to develop instructional units, guide student research projects, and prepare publications that build on his or her research expertise in the context of an evolving middle or high school interdisciplinary STEM curriculum.

Applicants should have an earned doctorate in science, mathematics, engineering, or a related field, with experience in research and experimental design. Applicants can be considered for any of the four programs, with placement based on availability and the applicant’s interest and background. Each position includes salary plus health insurance coverage and will be initially for 12 months with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and available funding. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until available positions are filled.

Deadline: June 30, 2023

To Apply:

Please submit application materials electronically to Dr. Eeds at angela.eeds@vanderbilt.edu with “CSEO Postdoctoral Fellow Search” included in the subject line of the email. The materials should include a letter of interest, one publication (or manuscript in progress), and a current CV. In addition, please include the names and contact information in the letter for three potential references. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the CSEO website at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cseo/ and the Vanderbilt Peabody College website at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/.