Collegiate Assistant Professor - Discovery Space
Collegiate Assistant Professor - Discovery Space
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Job Description
Job Description
The Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Collegiate Assistant Professor position with a focus on leading the development and operation of the University Undergraduate Laboratory Discovery Suite. This is a fulltime ninemonth nontenuretrack position with a renewable threeyear contract and potential for promotion. The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for establishing and managing the stateoftheart Discovery Suite which will serve as a multidisciplinary space supporting studentdriven inquiry across a broad range of STEMbased research fields. The suite will foster collaboration among students and faculty integrating handson learning with cuttingedge technology. In addition the candidate will collaborate with campus initiatives train students in innovation and experiential learning partner with industry to provide realworld experiences and support and/or teach related courses as needed.
The Discovery Suite is designed to be a flexible interdisciplinary space where students can engage in activities ranging from molecular biology and biochemistry (e.g. protein structure analysis enzyme kinetics) physical sciences (e.g. geosciences biomedical and physicsbased exploration) and environmental science (e.g. soil microbiome testing microplastics pollution analysis). The space will be a platform for students to develop practical skills work on independent or courserelated projects and collaborate across disciplines while being mentored in innovation creativity and enterprise development. The Discovery Suite will operate with a focus on inclusivity encouraging students from diverse backgrounds and academic interests to participate in multidisciplinary projects.
Responsibilities Include
Lead the development and operation of the Discovery Suite ensuring it provides an open flexible environment conducive to innovation handson learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Design and implement multidisciplinary content that utilizes the space to engage students from a wide array of academic fields including life sciences physical sciences and other STEM disciplines.
Maintain the suites equipment ensuring all resources are functional safe and up to date.
Collaborate with oncampus initiatives and academic units to integrate the Discovery Suite into universitywide innovation efforts and curriculum.
Train students in innovation practices and experiential learning preparing them to apply creative problemsolving and develop practical skills for future careers.
Assess and report on the student outcomes and success of the space and propel the vision of the space for future use.
Manage the Discovery Suite team which may include graduate teaching assistants (GTA) and undergraduate assistants to support student projects and ensure the smooth operation of the space.
Support and/or Teach related courses as needed.
Serve on departmental college or university committees as an active member of the academic community.
The anticipated start date will be mutually agreed upon.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in Biochemistry Molecular Biology Bioengineering or a closely related discipline.
Demonstrated experience in leading or managing educational or research spaces preferably involving interdisciplinary collaboration.
Strong commitment to innovative teaching and student engagement through handson learning.
Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including faculty students and industry partners.
Excellent organizational and communication skills with a passion for fostering creativity and enterprise development among students.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in developing or managing a maker space or similar innovation space particularly one supporting life sciences physical sciences geosciences or interdisciplinary projects.
Knowledge of multidisciplinary project design and the ability to create content that integrates life sciences physical sciences and other STEM fields.
Familiarity with innovation and experiential learning and experience collaborating with industry partners to enhance student learning opportunities.
Experience recruiting training and managing a team of assistants in an educational or research setting.
Knowledge of modern teaching practices including projectbased learning and active learning methodologies.
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
Review Date
01/15/2025
Additional Information
Interested candidates should provide:
1 A cover letter.
2 A curriculum vitae.
3 Names and contact information for three references.
4 A Teaching Statement (two pages max) that describes: your teaching experience/history including pedagogical approaches used; your beliefs about learning and how that is reflected in your teaching; how student learning and/or teaching effectiveness were assessed; and future ideas or plans for pedagogical experimentation or innovation.
5 A Diversity Statement (two pages max) that describes: your experience engaging with students of diverse backgrounds (e.g. students from underrepresented groups firstgeneration college students)and/or fostering diverse perspectives; what diversity equity and inclusion mean to you and how that is incorporated in your teaching research and/or service; and how you would approach creating an inclusive learning environment in the classroom laboratory and/or broader university community.
For further information about the position and the Department of Biochemistry please visit . Review of applications will begin on January 15 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a handson transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problemsolvers. A comprehensive landgrant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges a school of medicine a veterinary medicine college Graduate School and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees students or applicants on the basis of age color disability sex (including pregnancy) gender gender identity gender expression genetic information ethnicity or national origin political affiliation race religion sexual orientation or military status or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about discuss or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation please contact Dr. Anne Brownat during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Employment Type
Full Time
