The Placement Exchange Job Board

Position Description

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences has an opening for a Curriculum and Pedagogy Manager. This staff member plays an essential role in large and logistically complex introductory and foundational courses taken by freshmen and sophomores; working closely with faculty course heads to develop and deliver innovative curricula and course materials, and to organize and manage a staff of teaching fellows. The Curriculum and Pedagogy Manager will report to MCB's Scientific Director and will receive additional mentoring and professional training from faculty course heads.

Job Specific Responsibilities:

Teaching Staff Hiring, Training and Management

• Updates position descriptions, solicits applications, and interviews candidates for Teaching Assistants (TAs), Teaching Fellows (TFs), Course Assistants (CAs), Peer Study Leaders, and Graders;

• Runs training sessions for TAs/TFs and CAs; coordinates with BOK Center for any additional teaching training and feedback;

• Schedules, plans and runs weekly staff meetings;

• Schedules and coordinates staff office hours;

• Addresses and resolves teaching staff concerns/conflicts/performance issues

Assessments, Assignments, Problem Sets:

• Together with the course instructors, develops homework and in-class assignments, student assessments ranging from weekly quizzes to mid-term and final exams;

• Creates practice exams;

• Creates answer keys and grading rubrics 

Course Management and Coordination:

• Creates, manages and updates course Canvas site: posts syllabus, assignments, assessments, other course materials;

• Manages course budgets;

• Coordinates Lab component with Teaching Lab Staff: requests necessary lab materials, organizes lab run-throughs with teaching staff, provides hands-on help whenever needed;

• Organizes student sectioning;

• Interfaces with the media team for any technology-related needs;

• Answers student and teaching staff emails

Curriculum Development:

• Works with Course Head Instructor(s) to create Course Syllabus;

• Creates/updates pre-class notes, learning objectives, etc;

• Creates/updates group projects; updates labs and optimizes experiments;

• Creates section materials to be used by Teaching Staff;

• Creates and develops new modules;

• Experiments with and implements new pedagogical approaches

Student Support:

• Hosts weekly office hours;

• Meets with students 1:1;

• Organizes and provides extra help to struggling students;

• Coordinates AEO requests: curates and disseminates to Teaching Staff, makes sure that correct accommodations are in place

Classroom Teaching:

Creates and delivers occasional class lectures as a guest lecturer.

Professional Development:

Opportunity to attend conferences focused on education and pedagogy.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Strongly preferred candidates will hold a PhD in Life or Physical Sciences with experience in teaching undergraduates in science because this position may be called upon as a dependent lecturer; or Master's Degree in Life Sciences with extensive experience teaching undergraduates in science.

Superior organizational, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to lead and train teaching fellows and to manage relationships with undergraduate students. Proven engagement with learning about and implementing new pedagogical approaches in education. The position requires deep understanding of scientific concepts, exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, an ability to quickly adapt to new situations and to navigate difficult challenges, and a demonstrated interest in improving best practices in education.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship

This is a one year term position with the possibility for renewal.

Salary Grade: 057

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
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.

Return to Search Results