The Davidson College
Biology Department invites applications for a two-year
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship
beginning August 1, 2009. The first year will include
A) research in one of the following fields, depending on the research
interests of the candidate: neuroscience, genetics, genomics,
developmental biology, virology, or cell biology, and B) developing
teaching skills. The second year will focus primarily on teaching
an introductory course and a course related to the individual’s
specialty. Please submit application, cover letter, CV, Teaching
and Research Statements, and contact information of three references
at https://jobs.davidson.edu
by November 21, 2008. Davidson College is strongly
committed to achieving excellence and cultural diversity, and
welcomes applications from women, members of minority groups,
and others who would bring additional dimensions to the college’s
mission. EOE.
Description of the
HHMI Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship program at Davidson:
The Postdoctoral Teaching
Fellow will be expected to:
observe the mentors’
teaching, develop student-centered teaching materials, and give
occasional lectures;
participate in
a research program involving undergraduates, beginning in the
first year of the contract;
teach one lecture
+ laboratory course each semester of the second year of the
contract;
write core components
of applications for tenure-track positions, including a teaching
philosophy statement, a research program outline, and cover
letters; and
attend educational
meetings (e.g., PKAL) to network and learn from faculty at other
institutions.
The primary faculty
mentor will:
welcome the Postdoctoral
Teaching Fellow into his or her classroom and laboratory;
provide feedback
on classes taught by the Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow, and the
Fellow’s interactions with undergraduates in the laboratory;
encourage the Postdoctoral
Teaching Fellow to join Davidson’s pretenured faculty
discussion group;
share resources
on teaching pedagogies, such as Gordon Uno’s Handbook
on Teaching; and
assist the Postdoctoral
Teaching Fellow in developing application materials for tenure-track
positions
Description of Research:
The following faculty have agreed to serve as potential mentors
for the HHMI Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow: Drs. Karen Bernd, Malcolm
Campbell, Karen Hales, Barbara Lom, Julio Ramirez, and David Wessner.
Information on the research programs of the potential faculty
mentors can be found on the websites listed below. Candidates
for the position will be expected to apply for a specific research
program.
Review of all applications
between November 21 and January 12 by the search committee:
Dr. Verna Case, chair. Search committee members: Drs. Karen
Bernd, Malcolm Campbell, Karen Hales, Barbara Lom, Julio Ramirez,
and David Wessner.
Candidate short
list by January 12.
Campus interviews
will be scheduled during the month of January or early February.
The interview process will include: individual meetings with
members of the search committee, Davidson's Vice-President for
Academic Affairs, Clark Ross, and President, Tom Ross. All interviewed
candidates will present a research seminar for an audience of
undergraduates and faculty during their visit.
Final selection
and contract offer – late February, early March.
Appointment begins
on August 1, 2009.
Applicants will be
evaluated based, in part on:
Any previous experiences
working with undergraduates.
A written statement
addressing the reasons the candidate wishes to pursue this particular
postdoctoral opportunity. The statement should include discussions
of how the candidate hopes to benefit from:
a. Experiences in teaching and pursuing research with undergraduates
in the area of developmental neuroscience
b. Experiences at a small liberal arts institution
c. Experiences interacting with and learning from faculty at
a small liberal arts institution.
Ability to engage
an audience comprised of undergraduates and faculty during a
research seminar.
Personal qualities
including energy, enthusiasm and collegiality
