Post Doctoral Fellow

Working Title: Post Doctoral Fellow - Biology

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics

Department: 550872 - INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE GRANT 18

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $60,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The James Madison University’s Department of Biology invites applications for a Teaching and Inclusive Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow to begin in July 2024. The appointment is for one year. There are many opportunities for professional development and the postdoctoral scholar will have the chance to cultivate their own interests in inclusive excellence and college science teaching. The Fellow will work closely with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence (HHMI IE) Team, receiving mentorship in teaching and inclusive excellence in preparation for a future academic career. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to participate in activities within the JMU community and beyond (e.g., national conferences, HHMI meetings) in benefit to their professional growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary responsibilities include teaching two course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for transfer or introductory students as well as one further course of their interest or design. In addition, the postdoctoral scholar will participate in the department’s HHMI-funded Inclusive Excellence (IE) project aimed at promoting a more inclusive life science environment for undergraduates at JMU, with a specific focus on supporting transfer and first-generation college students. Based on their interests, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to and advance ongoing IE work in the areas of educational development, programming in an intentionally designed community space intended to foster students’ academic and personal growth, advancing novel experiences in benefit of transfer students, and evaluating inclusive excellence innovations.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. by the start date is required. Candidates must demonstrate a strong potential for and interest in mentoring undergraduate students. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to fostering inclusion in pedagogy and research. Experience with undergraduate teaching is desirable, but not required.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.