Summer teaching faculty (Academic or Associate Academic Director, multiple locations)

Summary

The Summer Science Program (SSP, operated by the independent non-profit SSP International, Inc.) offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science. Working in teams of three, 36 participants and 8 faculty form a supportive “living and learning community” over 5 weeks (6 for faculty). Each team completes an authentic research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 2,500+ alumni of all ages. More information can be found at www.summerscience.org.

The AD is the program lead and is responsible for supervising, mentoring and evaluating four teaching assistants (TAs), making programmatic (academic and experimental) decisions, and delegates tasks as needed. Additionally, the AD is responsible for any pre- and post-program requirements such as laboratory or project setup. To serve as an AD, at least one year of AAD experience is typically required.

The AD and AADs work with the four teaching assistants (TAs) on the academic side of the SSP experience. SSP provides lecture slides, lab slides, lab protocols, and the overall program schedule for academic directors to optimize and customize to match their style and specific campus needs. The AD and AADs will attend weekly faculty meetings and contribute to the discussion of each participant’s academic growth/accomplishments. Outside of the summer requirements, the AD and AADs have a shared responsibility to complete letters of recommendation (when appropriate) for participants’ college applications. Each AAD’s primary responsibility is to lead approximately one third of the lecture and laboratory sessions, with the AD leading the remaining third.

SSP is committed to increasing diversity among program participants as well as faculty staff. Faculty candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• ADs and AADs:

  • Teach junior/senior university-level topics relevant to the research project to a group of 36 high-potential high school students in a fast-paced university environment
  • Work in a close-knit, flexible, and adaptable team that includes the AD, AADs, a Site Director, four university-age TAs (Teaching Assistant & Residential Mentors), and any adjunct instructors and/or laboratory assistants.
  • Live on or near campus for 6 weeks, attend lunch and dinner with students most days, and participate in occasional field trips and social activities
  • Present background material required for the research projects using lecture outlines, problem sets, laboratory procedures, and other resources provided by SSP as a starting point. These will be split evenly between the AD and AAD.
  • Ensure the research project is successful
  • Consistently operate within, and be measured with respect to, SSP’s mission and values
  • Other duties as assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer

• ADs:

  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the four teaching assistants (TAs)
  • With input from staff, make programmatic (academic and experimental) decisions while delegating tasks as needed.
  • Perform any pre- and post-program requirements such as laboratory or project setup.
  • Support a positive work environment with respect and consideration for team members.
  • Work towards resolving conflicts in a timely manner.

Education

Astrophysics ADs and AADs will supervise students in observing near-Earth asteroids and writing a computer program to calculate the orbital elements of an asteroid given measurements of its position. As such, a PhD in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, or a closely related field is required for both positions.

Skills and Abilities

• Expert interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are required
• Intermediate computer skills are required
  • Experience with a suite of productivity apps (Google or Microsoft Office preferred)
  • Experience with a course LMS (such as Canvas or Google Classroom)
• Has worked as an instructor of record for one or more of the following courses (or similar) at a college level and/or has extensive research experience in the following topic areas:
  • Calculus-based physics
  • Astronomy
  • Programming in Python
  • Celestial mechanics
• Spectroscopy and/or advanced chemistry methods courses
• Supervision of undergraduate research students, especially in the framework of a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), is desirable but not required
• Experience providing supportive and critical feedback on undergraduate ‘assignments’ (of which many are writing-intensive) is desirable but not required
  • Experience with AltGrading/Ungrading is desirable but not required

Working Conditions

• The position is temporary full-time with daily schedules (including provided meals) generally lasting from ~8 AM to ~7 PM. During the required ‘startup week’ and throughout the summer, these hours may be extended as needed to ensure program success.
• Exercise high level of energy and engagement during class periods and lab periods
• Navigate the learning space to engage with participants during active-learning activities
• Navigate the laboratory space to engage, supervise, and correct participants as they proceed through experiments
• Direct and weekly meetings outside of typical work hours and travel locally to reach the meeting locations
• The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Clearance Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States
• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment screening

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. SSP values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.