Clean Energy Research Assistant Professor

published May 26, 2021 5:25am

The First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program at Binghamton University will hire a Research Assistant Professor (also known as the Research Educator), to begin mid-August 2021. This full-time position is for a three-year duration and candidates must have graduate degree before starting. This is a 10-month non-tenure track faculty position, with additional extra service commitment for two-summer weeks. This position is for Clean Energy (open to Ph.D.'s with appropriate background in chemistry/materials science/physics/electrical engineering).

In the FRI Clean Energy research stream of the FRI program, a Research Educator guides first-year and second-year students in innovative research that advances the field. Past research projects in this research stream have employed synthesis, spectroscopy and computational techniques. The Research Educator shapes the research theme. For example, recent research projects have focused on development of semiconducting nanomaterials for implementation in next-generation lighting and energy sources as well computational study of novel battery materials. This position will entail guiding student cohorts (~30 per cohort) through authentic research experiences and, in doing so, will help students develop the professional skills desired by graduate schools and employers. Within that process and working with faculty stream collaborators, the Research Educator maintains and/or expands their own research program.

The Research Educator reports to the FRI Director, and also works closely with the faculty stream collaborators of this research stream. Overall, FRI provides an excellent training program for new PhDs and, thus, is an exceptional transition that positions the Research Educator for a wider array of future STEM positions (from full range of higher education institutions to STEM education research).

Information about the FRI program and this research stream, including the faculty collaborators and examples of student research projects, please visit: https://www.binghamton.edu/first-year-research-immersion/research/clean-energy/

Responsibilities:
Oversee daily research activities of the research stream
Design and implement course materials for the research stream (e.g., lab manual, lab protocols, videos for procedures, and so forth)
Deliver mini-lectures for the research stream courses
Oversee the operation of the research stream laboratory (e.g., with undergraduate peer mentors)
Help FRI students with their projects
Serve as a mentor to the FRI students
Facilitate formative and summative assessments of the research stream and FRI students
Participate in a weekly FRI training and preparatory sessions
Assist with administrative work of the FRI program (e.g., tracking student progress and completion in the FRI)
Co-teach FRI Research Methods Seminar with other FRI faculty
Additional summer responsibilities may be contracted for extra payment (e.g., conducting NSF-REU-type program, working on grant research)

Requirements:
Strong candidates must have:
Graduate degree in a discipline that matches the research stream goals
Advanced experimental design and technical skills that align with the research stream goals
Minimum of two years of experience as a teaching assistant in higher education
Ability to train undergraduate researchers and evaluate their work
Ability to train, evaluate and supervise graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate peer mentor assistants
Ability to manage a research laboratory
Effective communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and web access software
Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency
Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively
Strong professional, organizational and interpersonal skills
Ability to speak, write and communicate in an articulate and successful manner
Ability to problem solve, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks
Ability to analyze and organize information and materials for a variety of research projects

Please submit as separate documents:
1. Cover letter (1 page maximum) telling us why you are interested in the position, why you feel you are qualified, and your contact information
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three references, then letters of recommendation will be requested upon application submission via http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com
4. Your philosophy of teaching undergraduates how to conduct research (250-500 words)

Review of applications begins June 1st 2021 and continues until the position is filled. Electronic applications are required; please submit your application materials to: 
Interview Exchange via Binghamton University. https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=131050

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your curriculum vitae. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp

The State University of New York and Binghamton University are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers.