Instructor

The Department of Biology is looking for an Instructor to provide administrative and instructional support for two Introductory biology courses per semester. Introductory Biology (7.01) is a core requirement for all MIT undergraduate students with a focus on biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. This individual will be part of a broader teaching group within the Department and will interface with faculty, staff, and students across the department, the Institute, and beyond, to develop materials and approaches. This position requires mostly work on campus, but some remote work on some days is possible.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include:

●      Work as part of a team to develop improved materials and structure for Introductory Biology and manage critical tasks during the term. This includes preparing all student assessments, providing teaching materials to support undergraduate and graduate students teaching during their sections, and running the online aspects of the course (blended learning) at key times (online exams and assignments) and as changes occur. 

●      Provide ongoing technical and instructional support for the instructional teams of Introductory Biology. 

●      In collaboration with the Instructor for Pedagogy Training and relevant faculty, align the Introductory Biology curriculum with the shared core competencies for introductory biology courses at MIT.

●      Monitor and address student progress and inform students and faculty about concerns related to student struggles.

●      Be the point of contact and administrative lead on course logistics and planning.

●      Create and maintain communication systems between faculty, other instructors, and graduate and undergraduate students teaching Introductory Biology.

●      Supervise graduate and undergraduate students who teach Introductory Biology, including coordinating the recruitment and hiring of undergraduate teaching assistants, graders, or tutors for Introductory Biology.

●      Revise and manage the implementation of the Introductory Biology advanced standing exam twice a year with other instructional staff.

●      Become familiar with the duties performed by the Instructor for Pedagogy training; serve as the substitute Instructor for Pedagogy training if required (unexpected illness, etc.)

●      Incorporate evidence-based pedagogical techniques into Introductory Biology.

●      Attend MIT seminars, professional meetings, and training to keep abreast of new or effective teaching techniques, share findings and ongoing projects in the department, advance technical skills and knowledge of the learning sciences, or otherwise improve instruction.

Supervision Received:

This position reports to the Director of Blended and Online Learning Initiatives, at least one faculty member, and the department head. 

Supervision Exercised:

Supervise graduate and undergraduate students in the context of teaching.

Qualifications & Skills, Required:

●      Ph.D. in Biology, or a closely related field 

●      Demonstrated interest and experience in teaching (this may include experience as a teaching assistant and outreach)

●      Knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning practices

●      Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships with a wide range of people: students, faculty, and staff

●      Experience with learning management systems and tools that support teaching and learning

●      Interest in developing new innovative curricula and teaching approaches

●      Availability to start by May 2024 or sooner

 Qualifications & Skills, Desired:

●      Computational experience, especially in the application of solving biology questions