SPECIAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ETHICS PEDAGOGY FELLOW

SCi is seeking a Pedagogy Fellow to design simulation-based curriculum for a series of ethics training modules for genetics researchers. ​​Studying human genetics of diverse groups requires grappling with significant ethical challenges. These include reckoning with histories of scientific racism in genetics research, the complexity of conceptualizing human difference across time and place, and the challenge of accurately presenting research findings without falsely recapitulating race as a biological construct.With support from the National Institutes of Health, these training modules will be made widely available to provide geneticists with the critical skills and awareness needed to navigate  the ethical dimensions of their research. This is an exciting opportunity to help ensure genetic research has a positive impact on society, in particular on groups underrepresented in genetics research. 

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The successful candidate will work closely with SCi’s co-director, Natalie Kofler, a postdoctoral researcher and a senior pedagogy fellow to create a simulation-based training module. The module will include three scenarios, background reading and lectures, debrief questions, and other associated learning tools. The successful candidate will participate in the trialing and evaluation of the training module and have access to a team of graphic designers, scientists, and education experts. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidate will be a graduate student with experience in curriculum design and teaching, a background in either ethics, STS (science, technology and society), history of science, sociology, or equivalent, and have familiarity with simulation-based learning and simulation design. They will demonstrate an eagerness to learn new pedagogy approaches and have the ability to communicate effectively working with multiple supervisors and an interdisciplinary team. 

The ideal candidate will have experience in anti-racism pedagogy and teaching STEM student audiences and/or researchers. The success of this project will require input from diverse perspectives, especially those from demographic groups historically underrepresented in the sciences and academia. Individuals with demonstrated interest in working at the intersection of science and society and addressing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are highly encouraged to apply. 

We know there are great candidates who may not check all of these boxes. We also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. 

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifications include a demonstrable commitment to high-quality college teaching, experience as a Teaching Fellow in one or more ethics courses offered at Harvard University (or experience as a teaching assistant in an ethics course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and a passion for pedagogical innovation. Experience teaching General Education courses is especially helpful. Any student pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Harvard or MIT is eligible, but preference will be given to advanced PhD candidates. Renewal of the one-year fellowship is also sometimes possible.

AWARDS

The fellowship lasts for the full academic year with a commitment of 10 hours/week for the duration of the fellowship. Pay is commensurate with the Teaching Fellow stipend for one course section per semester, fall and spring (the equivalent to .20 teaching rate). Opportunities for summer projects are also available, pending interest and needs of the program.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for an Ethics Pedagogy Fellowship, please submit a CV and Letter of Interest to SCi’s Program Coordinator: Dr. Chelsea Marcho (Chelsea_Marcho at hms.harvard.edu). Please include “Ethics Pedagogy Fellowship” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.