POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks a postdoctoral researcher focused on science education. The successful candidate will work under the mentorship of Dr Robert J. Full to conduct research on the pedagogy of discovery-based undergraduate education in biology. The successful candidate will play a central role in the Discovery for All: Empowering Inclusive Communities in Integrative Biology initiative. The candidate will contribute to catalyzing curricular and instructional change in biology, with an emphasis on enhancing discovery-based learning at all stages of our undergraduate program in biology. Specifically, the candidate will conduct cutting-edge pedagogical research needed to guide discovery-based transformation of undergraduate courses, with the aim of creating significant, lasting change in biology education.
Overall objectives of the Initiative include investigating student learning processes, developing learning goals, adapting or creating course materials, monitoring progress, measuring effectiveness, and disseminating results—including contributing to the education research literature. A critical goal for the candidate is to create enduring resources that members of Integrative Biology can use to promote discovery-based learning experiences.

Individuals in this role will:
● Design and conduct research regarding best methods for implementing discovery-based learning experiences in biology, with emphasis on fostering a sense of belonging and a culture of personal agency among undergraduates
● Provide consultation to faculty during the process of curricular transformation, including providing scholarly information regarding discovery-based teaching and learning practices
● Support faculty communication and consensus-building centered on the undergraduate curriculum
● Collect, analyze, and communicate data regarding discovery-based education, including presentation of findings in publications and at professional conferences
● Contribute to development and support of recommended changes in teaching practices, including providing critical review of individual teaching efforts and contributing to the development of formal evaluative metrics
● Collaborate with other recipients of Discovery grants, the Faculty Directors and Berkeley Discovery team, and partners across campus to promote campus-wide discovery-based learning