Assistant Director, Science Pedagogy @ Harvard Bok Center

September 2, 2020
Job Summary
Independently plan and implement academic affairs operations including faculty support, curriculum management and training.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning supports educational excellence and equity in Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Bok Center employs a wide array of approaches, which includes collaborating with faculty on their classroom practice and in the design of their course materials, providing professional development to graduate students to support their work as Teaching Fellows, and inviting undergraduate and graduate students to engage as partners in improving teaching and learning. 

Reporting to the Director of Pedagogy, the Assistant Director, Science Pedagogy cultivates excellence in teaching and learning and supports pedagogical innovation and experimentation among graduate students and faculty in the Division of Science and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). The Assistant Director performs individual consultations and contributes to a wide array of Bok Center programming in order to strengthen undergraduate science education at Harvard, increase active learning across the disciplines, and foster inclusive classroom environments. Specific duties include:

  • Consult with faculty and graduate student instructors about topics that include effective teaching strategies, course and curricular improvement, and equity and inclusion in the STEM disciplines.
  • Collaborate with faculty and Bok Center colleagues in designing or revising the materials and/or pedagogical strategies used in science (and science-related General Education) courses; this may include developing innovative assignments, activities, and instructional approaches, as well as syllabi.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in the Bok Center's Pedagogy and Practice team to design and facilitate workshops and courses on pedagogy. This includes workshops for new and experienced graduate student teaching fellows and faculty, sessions at the Fall Teaching Conference and Winter Teaching Week, and Bok Seminars (multi-session courses for graduate students that lead towards a teaching certificate).
  • Collaborate with the Director of Pedagogy, Director of Professional Development, and Assistant Director, Graduate Programming to mentor graduate students who work intensively with the Bok Center on teaching-related activities, especially the ca. 8 Pedagogy Fellows affiliated with science departments, helping them to enhance graduate students' professional development.
  • Generate online resources about teaching, in collaboration with colleagues at the Bok Center; this may include written materials and other types of media. Participate in projects to document and share effective and inclusive teaching at Harvard.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in the Learning Lab at the Derek Bok Center to identify, engage, and support science courses interested in making extensive use of multimedia and/or experimental modalities of teaching.
  • Provide support for new initiatives that convene faculty to discuss topics of current interest in higher education, both at the Bok Center and beyond (i.e. with colleagues in the Division of Science, SEAS, the Harvard Initiative on Learning and Teaching, et al.). As appropriate, conduct background research; support the development of resulting projects, activities, or courses; and write follow-up reports. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Typical Core Duties (below) are automatically uploaded to this job description; please disregard.

Typical Core Duties
  • Manage course development which may include recommendation and implementation of course sequencing, scheduling, grading processes and exam sessions
  • Act as an advising resource for faculty and other academics regarding educational strategies and formats
  • Manage events and programs related to academic affairs
  • Review program goals, policy, curriculum, and program requirements and make recommendations for improvement
  • Develop reports and analyze statistics pertaining to course development, teaching effort and student progress
  • May manage administrative processes for faculty and other academics including recruitment, appointment and development
  • May provide ongoing training and documentation
  • Research, resolve, and provide accurate policy guidance to faculty and other academics
  • Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience
Additional Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in a STEM field or Science Education strongly preferred.
  • At least three years experience developing and teaching undergraduate courses.
  • Demonstrated commitment to fostering equity and inclusion within undergraduate and graduate science education.
  • Experience with faculty and/or graduate student development, including experience leading workshops about teaching.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practices in teaching and learning.
  • Experience applying science education research to curricular innovation.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills necessary, as well as strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work with diverse constituencies. 
Working Conditions
  • Work is performed in an office setting
Additional Information

A resume and cover letter must be submitted in order to be considered for this position. Harvard University will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

***All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply to be a part of our community. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Function
Faculty & Student Services

Location
USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code
S0557P FSS Academic Affairs Oficr III

Sub-Unit


Department
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning

Time Status
Full-time

Salary Grade
057

Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.