This article is published in the June 2023 issue.

UR2PhD: Call for Instructors! | National Virtual Computing Research Mentor Program – Undergraduate Research to PhD

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We are seeking instructors for a new CRA program called UR2PhD, whose goal is to vastly increase the number of women students (particularly Black, Latina, and Native women students) who have high-quality undergraduate research experiences and continue into PhD programs. UR2PhD is a national, virtual program with three pillars: (1) early undergraduate research support and training, (2) graduate student mentor training, and (3) a bridge program to support students between their first research experience and application to a PhD program.

We are currently seeking two instructors for the undergraduate research support and training pillar.

Early Undergraduate Research Support and Training: Instructors will teach a 12-week virtual, synchronous research methods course and support program for new undergraduate researchers. The course will teach students about the foundations of research (e.g., reading a research paper, doing a literature review, identifying and communicating a research problem, etc.) as well as fostering a network of support for these new undergraduate researchers. The curriculum is being developed this summer. All materials needed to teach the course will be provided to the instructors. We anticipate that instructors will be responsible for 30-40 students each.

Instructors will work closely with the UR2PhD leadership team (Christine Alvarado, University of California, San Diego; Lori Pollock, University of Delaware; Monique Ross, the Ohio State University; and Kelly Shaw, Williams College) who have experience developing and teaching similar programs.

Responsibilities:

  • Manage and teach all aspects of the course including leading synchronous sessions (likely 1 per week), assigning homework, engaging with students between sessions, and grading and providing feedback on assignments.
  • Coordinate between instructors, with the research mentors, and with the UR2PhD team.

Qualifications:

  • Experience leading research with undergraduate students (required);
  • Experience teaching student-facing programs (required);
  • History of using identity inclusive instructional practices (required);
  • Demonstrated organizational and communication skills (required);
  • Experience teaching a similar course (preferred);
  • Experience working with programs designed to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in computing (preferred);

Timeline:

The course is tentatively scheduled for September 18-December 8, but these dates are subject to change slightly. The instructor should be available to begin working with the UR2PhD team in late August, 2023.

Compensation:

Instructors for the undergraduate research methods course will each be given a $12K stipend for their work.

To Apply:

Please upload a cover letter and your CV to this Google form.

Applicants who apply by June 21 will be given full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Questions:

Please contact ur2phd@cra.org with any questions.