Job Information
Harvard University Assistant Director of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Details
Title Assistant Director of Education
School Harvard Medical School
Department/Area Neurobiology
Position Description
Harvard Medical School’s Department of Neurobiology is seeking an Assistant Director of Education to oversee and execute on the Department’s educational mission. The Assistant Director of Education will assist in the development, execution, and administration of the Department’s educational and outreach programs, with a focus on curriculum development, educational operations, and inclusive educational practices. This position is ideal for a candidate who has PhD training in neuroscience and is looking to grow in the field of educational administration, scholarship, and leadership. An exceptional candidate will have demonstrated impact in fostering inclusive teaching practices in their teaching experience. The Assistant Director of Education will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation and Scholarship, the Department of Neurobiology Executive Director of Research, the Vice Chair, and the leadership team of the Harvard PhD Program in Neuroscience (PiN) to ensure high-quality, innovative educational experiences. The Assistant Director of Education should possess a ‘nimble’ expertise to develop neuroscience content and curricula for students at different stages of training, including research assistants, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows. Another major responsibility will be to advise and mentor students that participate in the Harvard PhD Program in Neuroscience Post-Baccalaureate Program (PiNBAC), and to support all of the pedagogical aspects of the program as a member of the program leadership team.
Specific responsibilities:
Curriculum Development and Instructional Innovation: As a Co-Director of the core graduate course (Discipline of Neuroscience), collaborate with department faculty to continually refine the course through syllabus development, incorporation of evidence-based pedagogical practices, and design of learning assessments. Work with the Vice Chair of Neurobiology and PiN leadership team to develop and refine new elective courses for neuroscience PhD students, recruiting subject-matter experts as needed to lead new courses and providing education expertise to guide course design and assessments of student learning Identify opportunities to pilot and evaluate innovations in neuroscience education for trainees in the department Work with the PiNBAC leadership team to develop and lead the curriculum for the core PiNBAC professional development course Teach within the curriculum and act as a neuroscience resource for students. Educational Program Quality.
Evaluation and Improvement: Develop and deploy strategies and tools to evaluate graduate program coursework and paracurricular training elements Assist the Community Programs Manager to evaluate key Departmental training initiatives including PiNBAC, professional development for postdoctoral trainees and research assistants, and the Morehouse And Harvard Partnership In Neuroscience Growth ( MAHPING ) initiative Working with the Assistant Dean, conduct and publish educational scholarship related to departmental neuroscience education training efforts.
Program and Course Administration: As Co-Course Director, oversee course administrative tasks for the graduate Discipline of Neuroscience course, including hiring, training, and supervising teaching fellows, coordinating with instructors to ensure timely and effective course delivery, and acting as the primary point of contact for the course to ensure smooth communication among Course Directors, teaching fellows, and students. In collaboration with the PiN program administrator, support PiN faculty with administrative logistics for creating new elective courses. Engage in outreach activities to recruit prospective students to PiN and/or PiNBAC, such as organizing and attending the graduate fair at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference and organizing virtual recruitment events.
Academic and Professional Development Programming & Mentorship: Work with PiN leadership and the Assistant Dean to design and lecture professional development workshops, bootcamps, and orientation events for students, research assistants, and postdocs. These activities are aimed at providing practical skills and preparing them for academic and professional success. Partner with the Community Programs Manager to create and run mentorship programs for research assistants and postdocs, focusing on neuroscience and professional growth. Develop resources and programming for academic and career development, helping trainees navigate their academic and career goals. Work with the Community Programs Manager to advise students in the Harvard PiNBAC program, including topics related to professional development, managing lab dynamics, etc., and serve as a point of contact for students seeking advice on neuroscience careers or graduate school applications.
Basic Qualifications
Basic Qualifications: PhD in neuroscience
Additional Qualifications
Additional Qualifications: Strong commitment to teaching, with demonstrated track record of courses/workshops at the graduate level.
Special Instructions
Contact Information
Soha Ashrafi
Executive Director
220 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Contact Email soha_ashrafi@hms.harvard.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.
Minimum Number of References Required 2
Maximum Number of References Allowed 5
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