FIRE Faculty Leader & Assistant Clinical Professor

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Thank you for considering applying for our open positions.  We invite you to learn more about our program, our team, and our research groups.

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General Position Information

The First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) is a major initiative at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD).  FIRE provides first-year UMD students with an inclusive faculty-mentored research experience that drives accelerated professional development and opportunity.

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FIRE Assistant Clinical Professors design and implement the group research agenda and are responsible for all research-related curricula, instruction, and broad student mentorship.  The position empowers early-career faculty members to grow as research leaders, educators, mentors, and higher education professionals.

 

FIRE Assistant Clinical Professors work in collaboration with department-based UMD faculty members to design and implement the research agenda of a new FIRE research stream.  As the lead instructor of research-related FIRE courses, the FIRE Assistant Clinical Professors are tasked with providing an excellent educational experience through the development of a research-centered curriculum that allows for iteration: students engage in work that includes periods of uncertainty, setbacks, and unexpected outcomes and have the opportunity to repeat unsuccessful methodological attempts.  As the professional that works with FIRE-participating students, FIRE Assistant Clinical Professors provide personal, academic, research, and professional mentorship.

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Expectations of Position

• Ability to lead a team of undergraduate peer mentors through clear communication and management.

• Ability to develop instructional curriculum and protocols for research-based inquiry and discipline understanding.

• Ability to effectively teach undergraduate students in lecture and research-based environments.

• Ability to mentor students from research, academic and personal perspectives.

• Ability to assess student learning through the development of formative and summative assessments appropriate for inquiry-based instruction.

• Ability to manage research operations including student progress, equipment, consumables, and oversight of the fiscal budget.

• Ability to effectively communicate with stream faculty members, undergraduate peer mentors, students, and institutional colleagues.

• Ability to problem-solve, prioritize, and manage multiple projects and timelines.

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.

• Flexibility to grow, adapt and change as FIRE develops at UMD.

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The position reports to the Director of Undergraduate Research in the Office of Undergraduate Research, Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. (title: Assistant Clinical Professor) or Master’s (title: Lecturer) degree.

• Active research interests and goals.

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Preferences

• Research leadership experience.

• Experience working on funded research projects.

• Prior supervisory experience of undergraduate researchers.

• Record of success in presenting research at conferences and/or publishing research in peer-reviewed journals.

• At least one year of experience in teaching undergraduate students (either as the instructor of record or as a teaching assistant).

• At least one year of research team experience with substantial project management experience and organizational skills.