Job description:
The
successful candidate will take a leading role in the redesign and evaluation of
two required mechanical engineering courses in the thermal/fluids area. The
postdoc will work with a group of faculty and postdocs, including the course
instructors, to develop and document course materials emphasizing active and
inductive learning and real-life applications.
Additional duties include evaluating metrics for the learning objectives
of each class, and using those metrics to determine the efficacy of the course
interventions. Opportunities for
teaching may also be available. This
position is part of a Cornell-wide initiative to shift the undergraduate
curriculum toward active learning approaches; the wide range of participating
departments is summarized here: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2019/02/active-learning-initiative-funds-nine-projects
. The postdocs will have the opportunity to engage with the Cornell Center for
Teaching Innovation and participate in weekly seminars with other Active
Learning Initiative postdocs to receive training and support in designing and
implementing research-based teaching strategies. We expect the course redesign project to lead
to archival publications in the engineering education literature.
Logistics:
Employer:
Cornell University
Location:
Ithaca, NY
Start
date: June 1, 2020
Length
of appointment: 2 years
Time
commitment: full time, but will consider
part-time appointments.
·
Ph.D.
in mechanical engineering, engineering education research, or a closely related
field.
Preferred qualifications include some
combination of the following:
·
Experience
with relevant literature and education research methods
·
Strong
background in heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
·
Ability
to work collaboratively with multiple faculty members and postdocs, adapting to
diverse views and approaches
·
Ability
to work independently
·
Project
leadership, time management, communication, and writing skills
·
Experience
with curriculum development, teaching assistant training, or faculty
development
·
Enthusiasm
for learning new things (Because this project will involve integrating and
applying many different research areas, an ability to grow is even more
valuable than extensive experience in any one of the above areas.)
To apply:
Submit a CV, cover letter, a brief teaching
and research statement emphasizing relevant background and/or interest in engineering
education research, and the names and email contacts of three professional
references to Prof. Elizabeth Fisher at emf4@cornell.edu. Evaluation of
applications will start on March 16, 2020.
Please also contact Prof. Fisher with
any questions.
Diversity and inclusion are
a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and
educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
