STEM / Health Sciences Faculty and Instructional Developer

About the Job

The Center for Educational Innovation (CEI) at the University of Minnesota is seeking a STEM / Health Sciences Education Program Specialist to advance high-quality, evidence-based, and inclusive teaching practices and learning environments across the STEM and health sciences fields. The STEM / Health Sciences Education Program Specialist collaborates with the University of Minnesota teaching community, working most closely with academic leaders and educators in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences professions.

At the system, campus, college, and department levels, this individual will work with vice chancellors, associate deans, and department heads to lead, partner on, and support educational projects and priorities of these units. This individual also collaborates with staff partners from other units that support teaching to provide professional development directly to those who teach – all ranks of faculty and instructors, as well as postdocs and graduate students – in the form of programs, workshops and webinars, and individual consultations. 

The position is a 100% time, 10- or 12-month professional and academic professional appointment that reports to a CEI interim director. Although based in the Twin Cities, occasional travel to the other campuses (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester) is required. CEI supports flexible work arrangements that include being present in-person as the work demands. The job code for this position will be Education Program Specialist 3 (9745S3) OR Education Specialist 4 (9745S4), depending on qualifications. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead and support key educational initiatives at all five University of Minnesota campuses in partnership with collaborators including central University administration, academic leadership, and faculty and staff (50%)

• As CEI liaison to several STEM and health sciences colleges and schools: 1) develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff in those units; 2) partner with academic leaders in these units to advance their educational priorities and goals; and 3) provide a range of professional development services and support.
• Manage, support, and provide expertise to shape complex or large-scale educational projects that are particular to academic units or University-wide; provide leadership, sometimes including project management, to ensure successful execution. Educational projects may include faculty development for inclusive and equitable teaching, reducing DFNW rates in large-enrollment courses, and curricular revision and development.
• Support and participate in faculty-driven educational research and evaluation projects that involve the systematic gathering of data on pedagogical innovations for the purposes of promoting inclusivity and fostering student success.

Provide teaching-related professional development directly to members of the UMN teaching community – all ranks of faculty and instructors, as well as postdocs and graduate students, with particular emphasis on those in STEM and health science disciplines (40%)

• Design, deliver, assess, and improve evidence-based, accessible, and inclusive teaching and learning webinars and programs. 
• Teach graduate courses in the Preparing Future Faculty program.
• Provide client-centered consultations and course observations.

Other (10%)

• Contribute to University and CEI committees and project teams that advance strategic goals and internal effectiveness.
• Pursue ongoing professional growth and development that aligns with University and CEI priorities.
• Contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning through presentations and/or publications at the local, national, or international level.
• Attend CEI and other meetings.

SALARY RANGE
Annual salary for a 12-month appointment commensurate with experience and education is $65,000-85,000.

Qualifications

Required:

• For Education Specialist 3: a Masters degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, STEM education, or a health sciences field, and at least 6 years of experience.  Significant recognition in the field may substitute for years of experience. For Education Specialist 4: a doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, STEM education, or a health sciences field, and at least eight years of relevant experience. OR a Masters degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, STEM education, or a health sciences field and ten years of relevant experience may be acceptable. Exceptional recognition in the field may substitute for years of experience.

• Experience using research-informed, accessible, and inclusive pedagogical practices as instructor of record in undergraduate STEM and/or health sciences courses
• Experience supporting the professional development of university-level educators
•  A record of initiating, supporting, and enacting equity, inclusion, and access in higher education
• Capability to use a range of workplace and instructional technology effectively

Preferred:

• Doctorate in hand or completed by December 2024 in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, STEM education, a health science field, or a doctorate in Education with significant experience in STEM education  
• Experience with the design and delivery of professional development programs and services in higher education, particularly for educators in STEM and/or health science professions
• Specialization in one or more additional areas that support teaching and learning in higher education (e.g. graduate and professional level pedagogy, course or program assessment, online teaching, anti-racist pedagogy, trauma-informed pedagogy, well-being and learning, Artificial Intelligence in teaching, curriculum development, clinical education)