The STEM Transformation Institute at Florida International University
(FIU) is seeking applications for an Assistant Director of the Learning
Assistant (LA) Program. The Learning Assistant (LA) Program is a highly
innovative program that fosters implementation of evidence-based
classroom practices, engages faculty in course transformation, develops
undergraduate students to become facilitators of learning in the
classroom and studies the impact of transformations.
The Assistant Director (AD) will be involved in all aspects of the LA
Program, working closely with the program leaders, undergraduate
students, faculty and university administrators. Primary
responsibilities include facilitating adoption of the LA model with new
faculty and emergent disciplines, including working with faculty and
departments to redesign courses to enable best practices in LA-supported
courses. Other responsibilities include coordination with other faculty
development initiatives and FIU’s administration and possibly
management of staff. Opportunities for teaching/advising/research may
exist. This is a full time, 12-month position, starting as soon as the
position filled. Position requires limited travel, primarily to
disseminate outcomes of the program.
Required background includes:
• An earned master or doctorate in science, mathematics, engineering or science/mathematics/engineering education;
• Minimum 3-years academic experience in teaching and/or in directing academic support experiences;
• Very strong oral and written communication skills.
Additionally, preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:
• Knowledge
of recent advances in science, mathematics and/or engineering teaching
and learning and/or discipline-based education research (DBER);
• Experience in supporting course transformation and faculty development;
• Teaching, advising, and/or administration in higher education;
• Experience working in collaborative environments.
FIU’s STEM Transformation Institute is dedicated to advancing research
and educational change that promotes evidence-based instructional
practices, utilizing FIU as a laboratory for the future of STEM, as over
75% of FIU’s 54,000 students come from traditionally underrepresented
groups. The Institute currently hosts 11 discipline-based education
research faculty in six STEM departments and 14 staff / postdoctoral
researchers that carry out multidisciplinary collaborative work across
the Colleges of Arts, Sciences & Education and Engineering &
Computing. Hallmark programs include a Learning Assistant (LA) program
that impacts well over 13,000 student enrollments in 10 STEM disciplines
each semester; Modeling Instruction at the high school and college
levels; and multiple HHMI- and NSF-funded research projects. For more
information on programs and research at the STEM Transformation
Institute: stem.fiu.edu; FIULearn.fiu.edu; FIUteach.fiu.edu.
FIU is the public research university in Miami, Florida and is the only
majority minority Carnegie R1 research university in the nation.
How to Apply: Qualified candidates are encouraged to attach a cover
letter, curriculum vitae and list of three references (with contact
information) in a single pdf file and send it to [log in to unmask]. Note that
at least three references may be contacted upon review as determined by
the search committee. To receive full consideration, applications and
required materials should be received by March 20th, 2017. Applications
will be reviewed continually until position is filled. For more
information and inquiries email [log in to unmask].
FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal
Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status,
protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.