UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA • DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY
LIFE SCIENCES CENTRE • 2552-2350 HEALTH SCIENCES MALL, VANCOUVER, BC
V6T1Z3 CANADA• (604) 827-3420 •
FAX (604) 822-6041 • E-MAIL [email protected]
TEACHING AND LEARNING FELLOW IN MICROBIOME DATA ANALYSIS
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology (MICB) at the University
of British Columbia is seeking a full time postdoctoral
Teaching and Learning Fellow (TLF) to develop a cohesive and coordinated
set of training modules in basic programming principles and
data analysis to help undergraduate students in microbiology work more
effectively with microbiome sequence information. These
modules will provide iterative exposure to data science practice that
progressively builds competency over two years of integrated
course work. In-class experiences will be augmented with data science
workshops sponsored by the ECOSCOPE training program
(http://ecoscope.ubc.ca). The principal responsibilities of the TLF include:
• Co-development of data science modules that can be plugged into
existing MICB courses in consultation with Dr. Steven
Hallam (MICB), Statistics (STAT) and faculty course coordinators. The
TLF will compile and prepare lesson plans, lecture
materials, assignments and a unified data set for use across training
modules. Each training module will be deployed in
classroom settings by the TLF working with Dr. Hallam and a team of 4
graduate research assistants (GRAs). The TLF will
coordinate, train and evaluate GRAs with input from Dr. Hallam and STAT.
• Coordination and promotion of extra-curricular opportunities for
student interaction. The TLF will offer extra-curricular e-
Sessions during which students can interact with the TLF and GRAs. Once
per term the TLF will organize a “hackathon” event
in consultation with ECOSCOPE providing a spirited social opportunity
for motivated students to solve data-driven
microbiome problems.
• Co-creation and oversight of website development in partnership with
MICB. The website will contain module materials
(notes, worksheets, data sets), instructions for installing software,
FAQs, calendar of e-Sessions, and video recordings from
workshops produced in partnership with MICB and ECOSCOPE.
• Evaluation of course material effectiveness. An evaluation committee
consisting of Dr. Hallam, TLF, and faculty course
coordinators will conduct an evaluation of the training modules with GRA
input. The TLF will compile evaluation metrics from
integrated courses and assess program effectiveness. The TLF will engage
MICB, STATS and Computer Science Departments
and coordinate meetings to report evaluation metrics, share ideas and
consider new course development opportunities.
• Exploration of research and publishing opportunities. The TLF is
highly encouraged to publish aspects of this work in
academic journals and to conduct independent data-driven analysis of
microbiome data sets used in module development.
Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline e.g. Ecology,
Microbiology, Physics, Statistics or Bioinformatics and manifest
competency with R/Python; version control and other practices related to
collaborative and reproducible scientific research. They
should be web savvy, manifest strong communication skills and have
experience in undergraduate level instruction, evaluation and
curriculum development. Enthusiasm for microbiome data analysis;
microbial ecology; practical data management and information
design are welcome attributes.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and
diversity within its community. We especially welcome
applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal
persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual
orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and
knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. All
qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and
permanent residents will be given priority.
Applicants should compile a single PDF file with the following elements:
cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three
references, teaching philosophy and any other pertinent information
(e.g., evidence of teaching effectiveness or links to relevant datadriven
experience). The cover letter should specifically address how this
position relates to the applicant’s experience and career
aspirations. The appointment is initially for one year, with option for
renewal dependent on performance and funding. Ideally, the
position will commence before May 1, 2017.
Sincerely,
Steven Hallam
ECOSCOPE Director
CIFAR Scholar and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Genomics
