Postdoctoral Fellow with Expertise in Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Teaching Improvement

To start as early as January 2010, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences seeks a highly motivated educational researcher with expertise in multi-method approaches to investigating undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching improvement in US classrooms, across institutional types. The fellow will join an active physics lab working in the area of pedagogical innovation in undergraduate STEM classrooms, with a special focus in the following areas: interactive teaching with technology; barriers to faculty change; multi-level interventions for enhancing student cognition in STEM; and disseminating research-based, effective pedagogies for widespread implementation in undergraduate STEM classrooms.

The successful applicant will pursue new research using qualitative and quantitative methodologies and assist junior group members seeking to employ—specifically—interview, survey, and observational methods in their work. In particular, the fellow will contribute to the groups’ educational research program by conceptualizing new projects using existing data; presenting group findings at national and international conferences; collaborating on research grant proposals; publishing group findings in peer-reviewed journals; working on professional development initiatives with instructors from across the globe interested in improving their teaching using Peer Instruction; assisting with physics teaching and learning improvement initiatives at Harvard; and collaborating on projects with an interdisciplinary team of university administrators, scientists, social scientists, educational researchers, and STEM education experts both on and off Harvard’s campus.

Basic Qualifications: The successful applicant will have an earned doctorate in education with an emphasis on higher and postsecondary learning, or a closely related field. With the groups’ focus on interactive teaching with technology, the candidate must have a background in information technology in education and experience with implementing technological innovations in the college classroom, with a master’s degree in educational technology, or a closely related field, highly preferred. Evidence of the ability to communicate educational research findings and scholarship through oral and written media is essential. Extensive experience designing and leading qualitative research projects focused on undergraduate STEM teaching improvement in American college classrooms is required.

Additional Qualifications: While ties to physics education research are important, the candidate must also have a history of working to improve teaching and learning across multiple STEM fields. Applicants should demonstrate the following: a record of individual initiative in educational research and scholarship; evidence of expertise in qualitative data analysis; and the potential for future leadership in the scholarship of college teaching and learning. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated knowledge of and experience working on faculty professional development projects featuring Peer Instruction.

Additional Information: Please send a cover letter and CV to mazurgroupjobs@gmail.com.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Synthetic Chemistry, Peptide Synthesis and/or Molecular Biology

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering (http://www.wyss.harvard.edu) seeks applicants for the position of Postdoctoral Fellow to be a part of a dynamic new research group.  The research program is highly interdisciplinary, and focused at the interface of chemistry, biology, and engineering.  Projects will involve the development of self-assembling systems from protein and peptide building blocks and be targeted toward specific applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and medical imaging.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. with a strong background in synthetic chemistry, peptide synthesis, and/or molecular biology.  Experience with nanoscale characterization techniques (AFM, TEM, Light Scattering, etc.) or directed evolution of proteins is preferred.  Applicants should be interested in the basic science of self-assembly and biomimicry and its application to medical science.  Successful candidates will be eager to lead by example in the lab, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, manage research projects, and possess excellent communication skills. 

Interested applicants should send a single document PDF containing a CV, cover letter describing research interests and goals, a full list of publications, copies of up to three relevant scientific papers, and names and contact information for at least three letters of recommendation, who might be contacted as references. Applications should be sent to faculty_postdocs@wyss.harvard.edu. 

Harvard University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and applications from women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions in Bio-Inspired Engineering

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University invites applications for a number of postdoctoral fellow positions. The mission of the Wyss Institute is to discover the engineering principles that Nature uses to build living things; to pursue the high-risk research that is fundamental to advance this effort; and to harness these insights to create biologically inspired materials and devices to advance human health and improve the environment – thereby revolutionizing clinical medicine and creating a more sustainable world.

A Ph.D. in a related field is required as is a background in synthetic biology, living materials or biological control. Candidates are specifically sought for the following enabling technology platforms: Adaptive Architecture and Robotics; Anticipatory Medical Devices; Biomaterials Evolution; Biomimetic Microsystems; and Programmable Nanomaterials.  For more specific information, please visit our website at http://www.wyss.harvard.edu.

Applications, assembled as single pdf files, should contain a C.V., a cover letter describing research interests and goals, a full list of publications, copies of up to three relevant scientific papers, and names and contact information for at least three writers of letters of recommendation, who might be contacted as references. Applications should be sent to postdocs@wyss.harvard.edu. 

Harvard University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and applications from women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged.

Wyss Institute Technology Development Fellows

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University (http://www.wyss.harvard.edu) invites nominations of individuals of outstanding talent and technical skills for a number of Wyss Technology Development Fellow positions. Wyss Fellows will be provided with a competitive salary, and additional funds to support independent exploratory research. The Fellowships are intended for brilliant young women and men of great promise with outstanding technical expertise who have completed their doctoral degree within the last five years. Fellowships are awarded for up to three years.

Although Wyss Fellows will be granted more independence and a greater emphasis on technology creation and translation than other postdocs on campus, they can benefit from the role of Institute Core Faculty and members of the Advanced Technology Team as mentors.

A background in synthetic biology, living materials or biological control is required. Candidates are specifically sought for the following enabling technology platforms: Adaptive Architecture and Robotics; Anticipatory Medical Devices; Biomaterials Evolution, Biomimetic Microsystems; and Programmable Nanomaterials.

Interested applicants can obtain more information about the application process and can download the nomination sheet on the Wyss Institute website at:

http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpage/150/wyss-fellowship.

Applications should be sent to wyssfellows@wyss.harvard.edu.

Harvard University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and applications from women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged.

3 Postdoctoral Positions at the Microrobotics lab

Position #1

The Harvard Microrobotics Lab is currently seeking applicants for a postdoc position pertaining to the development of artificial muscles for soft robotics applications. There is a new interest in compliant robots that move in novel ways and are capable of dramatic changes in body morphology. Such a device will require quantum advances in scalable, fast, efficient, compliant actuation. We anticipate that the high performance artificial muscles generated in this effort will be applicable to many existing platforms and also enable a new class of mobile robots: 'chemical robots'. This is part of a highly visible research project and it is expected that the successful applicant will be a leader of a large multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related field. Experience with microfabrication techniques is essential. The position is open immediately (12/1/08) and is guaranteed for a year with a possible second year extension.

Position #2

The Harvard Microrobotics Lab is currently seeking applicants for a postdoc position in fluid dynamics modeling for a flapping-wing micro air vehicle. In past research we have demonstrated the ability to construct insect-scale airfoils and high-speed micromechanical drive mechanisms. We aim to leverage that expertise to perform unprecedented experiments on the aerodynamics of flapping-wing flight in the hopes of elucidating the connections between areas of the design space and trends in flow structure, force production, and propulsive efficiency. Our ability to create insect-scale structures means that we do not need to make any scaling assumptions on the fluid dynamics. It is expected that this research will not only result in a greater understanding of the aerodynamics of flapping wings, but also design rules for the creation of robotic insects. This is part of a highly visible research project and it is expected that the successful applicant will be a leader of a large multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field. Experience with microfabrication techniques is preferred. The position is open immediately (12/1/08) and is guaranteed for a year with a possible second year extension.

Position #3

The Harvard Microrobotics Lab is currently seeking applicants for a postdoc position in the area of biomechanics and biologically-inspired robotics. Our lab is creating various arthropod-inspired aerial and ambulatory robotic insects which seek to emulate various locomotor functions and sensorimotor control architectures of model organisms (mostly Diptera and Blattaria). We would like to establish a systematic approach to bio-inspired robotic insect development which combines biomechanics principles with our unique fabrication capabilities. This will entail a highly experimental approach involving iterative physiological studies and device fabrication and analysis resulting in new prototype robotic insects with comparable locomotion capabilities as their biological analogs. This is part of a highly visible research project and it is expected that the successful applicant will be a leader of a large multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in biology with a focus in biomechanics, evolutionary biology, or arthropod physiology. The position is open immediately (12/1/08) and is guaranteed for a year with a possible second year extension.

Instructions for postdoc applicants:

Applicants should send a cover letter briefly describing their background and career plans, a CV, and the names and contact information for at least three references. These documents should be submitted as pdf attachments to Prof. Robert Wood (in the header, please indicate which position you are applying for):

Harvard University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and applications from women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged.

Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Theoretical Aspects of High-Resolution Non-Destructive Microscopy

Candidates should have direct hands-on experience in areas such as lens design, imaging theory, theoretical acoustic imaging, diffraction physics, image simulations and holography and/or wave propagation in heterogeneous media including soft matter. The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering or related disciplines.

We are seeking outstanding candidates who are highly motivated and have strong academic record. Applicants should send their CV, list of publications and contact information for three references to: Shriram Ramanathan (Electronic Mail: shriram@seas.harvard.edu). Please include PDF Application in the subject line of the email.

Harvard is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We strongly welcome applications from qualified women and minority group members.