The University of Denver Interdisciplinary Research Incubator for the Study of
(In) Equality or IRISE
(www.du.edu/irise) is seeking a two-year postdoctoral research fellow beginning
September 1, 2016.
We are looking for ways to assist transforming the culture of STEAM (Science,
Technology,
Engineering, Art and Math) towards an inclusive environment that integrates
with societal issues.
Our focus is on the national level possibly using on-campus projects and
interventions as a
mechanism for research study as well as transforming internal culture.
We seek candidates capable of bringing together insights from some subset of
the STEAM
disciplines to inform the interdisciplinary study of the relationship between
racial, ethnic, and socio-
economic inequality and how these factors intersect with the STEAM disciplines.
More specifically,
we are seeking a scholar working on issues of how to increase participation
(access) and persistence
of underrepresented college students in one or more of the STEAM areas. Example
areas of interest:
1. Create and study the efficacy of research-based and activism-based
curriculum that broadens
our ideas of what science is and does. Specifically the fellow will help
create a curriculum that
privileges socially meaningful problems and then studies whether such an
approach helps to attract
and retain women and students of color.
2. Study the efficacy of various models of sustained mentorship at the K12
and postsecondary
level. While many camps have been created, and these camps clearly do provide
inspiration,
women and students of color still often do not matriculate or persist in STEM
areas. How should
continued mentorship after such experiences be structured?
3. Many have advocated for moving STEM to STEAM by integrating the Arts.
How does such an
integration increase participation and persistence? What aspects of art
integration are responsible
for attracting and retaining students of color - design, aesthetics, social
activism?
The three above area examples are meant only to be illustrative of the types of
scholarship questions
we hope to address and should not be viewed as limiting the scope of research
areas we will
consider supporting.
Depending on the fellows background they will be housed in one of our STEAM
departments,
{biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, art/emergent
digital practices,
mathematics}, with co-supervision and mentorship by faculty from multiple other
STEAM
departments. Many of our STEAM faculty are working on research and outreach
experiences guided
towards broadening participation in STEAM. These faculty members will provide
guidance and
support throughout the fellowship period.
The fellow will spend the majority of time engaged in independent research,
scholarship, or creative
work under the guidance of departmental faculty members. Fellows will also be
expected to be
active in the DU community of scholars engaged in research and teaching
relating to the study of
inequality locally and nationally. Fellows will teach one course in their
specialty the first year and two
courses in their specialty the second year. The successful candidate will also
be expected to attend
and contribute to a weekly seminar and support other initiatives of the IRISE,
such as promotion of
conferences and symposia.
The ideal candidate would have training or a strong interest broadening
participation in STEAM as
well as disciplinary knowledge in one of the STEAM areas. Candidates should be
committed to
working with diverse student and community populations. We do not expect the
candidate to have
experience in all areas of the fellowship, as training will be provided by the
mentors. In addition,
because of the value of lived experiences in the investigation and
understanding of inequality, we
especially encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups.
Qualifications:
PhD in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental
Science,
Mathematics, Physics or MFA/PhD in Art, Dance, Music, Theater, or related
fields.
Applicants must have completed all requirements for their terminal
degree by June 30, 2016.
Candidates must also be no more than 3 years from the awarding of their degree
(i.e., September
2013).
Interest or experience addressing inequality concerns in STEAM.
Strong methodological training and a record of successful publication
in the related field(s).
Responsibilities:
The appointment term is September 1, 2016 - August 31, 2018; however,
the initial term may be
renewed for an additional year.
Teach one advanced undergraduate course in year one and two courses,
including an
interdisciplinary graduate class, in year two.
Participate in a quarterly educational inequities research group and
colloquiums for the DU
campus as part of the IRISE lecture series.
Participate in campus-wide forums exploring questions of compositional
diversity and inclusive
excellence at DU and the broader academy. Present research findings to
interdisciplinary academic
audiences and community partners.
The fellowship carries a stipend of $45,444 for the first year and $47,268 for
the second year, a
startup package, a professional development and research fund, and a
comprehensive benefits
package. To apply, please complete the on-line application at
https://dujobs.silkroad.com/ and attach
the following:
a letter of application (including a statement of research and teaching
interests)
a curriculum vitae
reference listing (minimum of three (3) references)
Candidates must apply online to be considered, only applications submitted
online will be accepted.
Once within the job description online, please click "New Resume/CV" at the
bottom of the page to
begin application.
The online application must be completed and submitted no later than 6:00 a.m.
Mountain Standard
Time on May 9, 2016. Inquiries about this position can be made to search
co-chair, Dr. Shannon
Murphy ([email protected]).
The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty
and staff and
encourages applications from women, minorities, members of the LBGT community,
people with
disabilities and veterans. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer.
