Laboratory Instructor in Biological Sciences
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Full-time
Science
Posted on May 1, 2024
Description
The Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth invites applications for a full-time, teaching laboratory instructor. The person in this position will become a key member of a team of dedicated and innovative educators who are continually seeking to improve student learning experiences.
Applicants should have a background in cell biology, genetics, physiology, microbiology or molecular biology as well as a willingness to expand their knowledge in these areas. The laboratory instructor works closely with course faculty to develop and implement laboratory learning exercises, coordinate and supervise laboratory sections, oversee, mentor, and evaluate graduate teaching assistants, prepare laboratory materials, protocols, and manuals, and provide other course-related support. Depending on the needs of the course, duties may also include teaching laboratory sections and grading course materials.
The Department of Biological Sciences and Dartmouth as a whole are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive population of students, faculty, and staff. Dartmouth recently launched a new initiative, Toward Equity, that embraces shared definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a foundation for our success in institutional transformation. We are especially interested in applicants who are able to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds and with different identities and attributes. Applicants should provide a statement of how their teaching, research, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to advance Dartmouth's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
Teaching Lab Support
Masters or Ph.D (preferred) in cell biology, genetics, physiology, neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a closely related field. Previous experience with undergraduate teaching laboratories is preferred. Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to meet deadlines and attention to detail are essential.
Application Instructions
Please submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio:
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other category protected by applicable law, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment, or other school administered programs. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
If you are an applicant with a disability and need accommodations to assist in the job application or interview process, please email ADA@dartmouth.edu. In the subject line, please state “Application Accommodations” and include the job number or title. Someone from the ADA Compliance Office will be in touch within 2 business days.
For additional employment opportunities at Dartmouth College, please visit the Dartmouth Interfolio Job Board, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Human Resources.
Offers of employment are contingent upon consent to a pre-employment background check with results acceptable under Dartmouth policy. Please visit the Office of Human Resources for details.
All Dartmouth College employees must comply with the College's health and safety guidelines and protocols, including but not limited to those related to COVID-19, such as any testing, masking, or distancing requirements that may be in place at any given time or place.
The Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth invites applications for a full-time, teaching laboratory instructor. The person in this position will become a key member of a team of dedicated and innovative educators who are continually seeking to improve student learning experiences.
Applicants should have a background in cell biology, genetics, physiology, microbiology or molecular biology as well as a willingness to expand their knowledge in these areas. The laboratory instructor works closely with course faculty to develop and implement laboratory learning exercises, coordinate and supervise laboratory sections, oversee, mentor, and evaluate graduate teaching assistants, prepare laboratory materials, protocols, and manuals, and provide other course-related support. Depending on the needs of the course, duties may also include teaching laboratory sections and grading course materials.
The Department of Biological Sciences and Dartmouth as a whole are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive population of students, faculty, and staff. Dartmouth recently launched a new initiative, Toward Equity, that embraces shared definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a foundation for our success in institutional transformation. We are especially interested in applicants who are able to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds and with different identities and attributes. Applicants should provide a statement of how their teaching, research, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to advance Dartmouth's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Knowledge of laboratory protocols and equipment.
- Knowledge of the scientific method and ability to design an experiment with appropriate controls that is robust enough to be replicated in an undergraduate teaching laboratory setting.
- Knowledge of pedagogical methods.
- Working knowledge of cell biology, microscopy, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work well with faculty, undergraduates, graduate teaching assistants, and other departmental staff. Ability to supervise and organize graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants and graduate student graders.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills to plan and carry out experiments and instruction sessions.
- Willingness to master new experimental techniques as needed.
- Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Must be self-motivated, collaborative, and adaptable.
- Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community.
Teaching Lab Support
- Prepares and aliquots experiment solutions, media, and reagents. Prepares instructional materials for laboratory course work.
- Coordinates and executes laboratory training sessions for graduate teaching assistants focusing on scientific and pedagogical methods.
- Ensures the success of laboratory sessions through the term.
- Mitigates any difficulties that arise throughout the course, either independently or in collaboration with course faculty.
- Troubleshoots and solves problems extemporaneously, from scientific protocols to interpersonal issues.
- Proposes, researches, and develops new laboratory exercises to accommodate changing curricular needs independently and in collaboration with faculty.
- Writes and updates lab manuals and laboratory assignments independently and in collaboration with faculty.
- Modifies existing laboratory experiments as needed.
- Serves as the primary contact and support for graduate student teaching assistants. This requires proficiency with biological concepts in cell biology, genetics, physiology, molecular biology and microbiology.
- Provides experiential training in pedagogical methods.
- Ensures that graduate student teaching assistants meet expectations.
- Provides detailed evaluations of graduate teaching assistants' performance.
- Orders and maintains teaching laboratory equipment/supplies.
- Ensures that labs remain clean and organized.
- Contacts Environmental Health and Safety for timely disposal of lab waste.
- Maintains student records, including laboratory attendance, exams, assignments, grades, etc.
- Manages student lab section assignment at the beginning of each term and student attendance throughout the term.
- Disassembles and scans exams for grading. Supervises exam and lab assignment grading. Maintains records of all student grades.
- Coordinates course calendar (for all lab and grading-related meetings).
- Manages laboratory feedback and evaluations.
- Utilizes online learning management systems such as Canvas and Gradescope.
- Organizes occasional events for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Supervises and evaluates graduate teaching assistants independently and in collaboration with faculty. Trains students in best practices of presentations, grading, student interactions, and teaching.
- Hires and supervises undergraduate teaching assistants and graduate student graders.
- This is a 12-month position
- Some lab sections are scheduled in late afternoons and evenings.
- Some weekend hours may be required.
- Vacation time must be coordinated with the academic calendar and course responsibilities.
Masters or Ph.D (preferred) in cell biology, genetics, physiology, neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a closely related field. Previous experience with undergraduate teaching laboratories is preferred. Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to meet deadlines and attention to detail are essential.
Application Instructions
Please submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio:
- Cover letter, describing relevant laboratory and educational experiences.
- C.V.
- Diversity statement, addressing how the applicant's teaching, research, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to advance Dartmouth's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Three confidential letters of recommendation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other category protected by applicable law, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment, or other school administered programs. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
If you are an applicant with a disability and need accommodations to assist in the job application or interview process, please email ADA@dartmouth.edu. In the subject line, please state “Application Accommodations” and include the job number or title. Someone from the ADA Compliance Office will be in touch within 2 business days.
For additional employment opportunities at Dartmouth College, please visit the Dartmouth Interfolio Job Board, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Human Resources.
Offers of employment are contingent upon consent to a pre-employment background check with results acceptable under Dartmouth policy. Please visit the Office of Human Resources for details.
All Dartmouth College employees must comply with the College's health and safety guidelines and protocols, including but not limited to those related to COVID-19, such as any testing, masking, or distancing requirements that may be in place at any given time or place.
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