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WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY

STEM Learning Specialist

WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246


Special Instructions to Applicants:

"All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues."

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News and World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

In January of 2023, Rice University launched a comprehensive student success initiative to ensure equity of access, equity of experience and equity of academic outcomes for all Rice undergraduates. The initiative includes a multi-year plan to establish a central academic resource center at Rice. As a significant first step of this plan, on July 1, 2024, Rice launched the Office of Academic Support for Undergraduate Students (OASUS). OASUS will house subject-focused academic coaching and peer-tutoring services, including the Drop-in Study Center, as well as a new Testing Center. The STEM Learning Specialist is one of the first new positions created to support this effort. Working with and reporting to the Director of OASUS, the incumbent will have the opportunity to shape this important addition to the Rice campus.

Reporting to the Director of OASUS, the STEM Learning Specialist provides comprehensive academic support services and programs for undergraduate students enrolled in STEM courses, majors, and Schools through individual consultations, group instruction, and discipline-specific programming developed in collaboration with campus partners.

The person in this position may have additional opportunities to engage with the School of Natural Sciences through STEM faculty learning communities and various instructional initiatives, including the possibility of teaching a credit-bearing course. The teaching role would be at the discretion of the Director of OASUS and the Dean of Natural Sciences, limited to one course per academic year, incurred in addition to the incumbent's full-time responsibilities with OASUS, and compensated separately.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The successful candidate will 1) be an experienced educator whose professional record demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and student success; 2) demonstrate deep knowledge of research, leading practices, and new initiatives regarding student learning, peer education, and academic support in higher education; and 3) possess expertise in STEM education and experience providing academic support to university students studying in STEM disciplines. Desired start-date is January 15, 2025.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a partially hybrid role, combining primarily in-office work with some remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $75,000 - $80,000

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

Master's degree in education or a STEM discipline.At least two years of experi nce at a four-year college or university delivering academic and learning support to students studying STEM and/or taking STEM courses.

Skills:

Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of inclusive education and equity-based practices in higher education, including retention and sense of belonging frameworks and applications.Experience organizing, facilitating and leading workshops or training for students in a college or university setting.Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.Strong analytical and problem-solvingskills with the ability to work independently to handle multiple, complex tasks.Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of current adult learning theories, effective learning strategies, and high-impact practices in academic support and STEM pedagogies.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, encompassing communication with students as well as faculty members and administrators.Problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze potential learning obstacles and develop pragmatic solutionsExperience and record of effectively collaborating with faculty from a range of disciplines.Demonstrated record of working effectively with students from diverse backgrounds

Preferences:

Ph.D. in STEM discipline, STEM education, or education psychology.At least one year of teaching undergraduate students at a four-year college or university.Experience working with high-achieving students.Experience creating and delivering online classes or educational workshops.

Essential Functions:

Providing individual consultations to support students' academic self-efficacy and mastery of course material through STEM-specific learning strategies, self-management skills, and customized learning programs.Supporting peer educator training by developing STEM-specific materials and workshops.Working with faculty and campus partners to identify STEM learning needs and develop appropriate resources, including course-specific support.Developing workshops and online learning modules to support discipline and course- specific learning needs in STEM fields.Developing interactive online resources to support undergraduate STEM learning at Rice in a variety of contexts.Working with OASUS leadership to contribute STEM education expertise to strategic planning and program development.Maintain knowledge of research, leading practices, and new initiatives regarding student learning, peer education, and academic support in higher education.Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer - minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity