Carnegie Mellon University

Description

The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) was established to provide a summer enrichment experience in the sciences and mathematics for hardworking Pennsylvania high school students and to encourage them to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The program provides instruction in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, with emphasis on collaborative learning and team research. 

The PGSS is a 5-week STEM enrichment program. We are seeking multiple faculty members for summer employment for the 2025 session. 

Our particular focus is on five Core Subject Areas of: Biological Sciences Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physics.

Temporary Faculty Appointments are available for each of the following types of appointment:

• Core Course Instructor - Our five Core Courses provide a common educational experience for all the PGSS students. Core Courses meet for 50 minutes, 4 mornings a week, for the first four weeks of the program (specific weekly schedule TBD).
• Laboratory Course Instructor - Students choose one laboratory course in one of the four Core Subject Areas of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics. Laboratory Courses meet two afternoons a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) 2:30 – 5:30 PM, for the first four weeks of the program.
• Elective Course Instructor - A variety of special topic Elective Courses are offered each year, depending on the interests of the faculty. Elective Courses meet for 50 minutes, twice a week in the afternoon or evening (specific schedules TBD), for the first four weeks of the program.
• Faculty Advisor for a Team Research Project - Students choose a Team Research Project from the menu of options, based on their interests. A typical team consists of six to ten students and an undergraduate Teaching Assistant (TA). Team Projects meet two afternoons a week (Mondays and Thursdays) 2:30 – 5:30 PM for the first four weeks of the program, plus additional time as needed early in the fifth week to complete the final paper and PowerPoint presentation.

Faculty Responsibilities include:

• Meeting with TAs prior to the start of the program to manage course content or scope of research project and expectations.
• Managing the planning and delivering of daily course contents and crafting weekly homework assignments (for Core, Lab, or Elective Course Instructors).
• Providing the intellectual idea for a challenging but doable project (for Project Advisors).
• Advising the students, as needed, during the scheduled research sessions (for Project Advisors).
• Providing feedback on homework or lab notebooks to the students with the help of undergraduate Tas.
• Providing feedback on overall performance of each student in their course or project to the PGSS Program Director at the conclusion of the program.

Faculty/Staff orientation and training begin on Thursday June 20, 2023. Students arrive and the program officially opens on Sunday, June 22 and concludes on Sunday July 27, 2024. Classroom space, laboratory and/or computing facilities will be provided, as well as supplies and materials needed to carry out lab work and/or research. 

For more information about the PGSS program, please visit: https://www.cmu.edu/mcs/pgss/ .

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree plus three years of work experience in one of our Core subject areas required.

Master’s Degree plus work experience or Ph.D. in the relevant subject area are preferred.

Application Instructions

Application materials, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae should be submitted via this Interfolio site. Applications are also asked to arrange for a minimum of two confidential letters of recommendations to be uploaded to Interfolio.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Carnegie Mellon University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.