Postdoc position at the University of British Columbia

Postdoctoral Research Fellow on Pedagogy and Flexible Learning

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

The Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a postdoctoral research fellow.  This position supports a curriculum enhancement project that includes developing innovative pedagogical tools and flexible learning strategies.

Background / Context

The Land, Food, and Community Core Series courses in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems integrate community engaged scholarship approaches, community-based experiential learning (CBEL) and community-based action research (CBAR) with flexible learning strategies to enhance student learning, including the application of theoretical knowledge in hands-on activities. The project will incorporate flexible learning strategies into the core series (LFS 100, 150, 250, 350 and 450) to deepen and increase CBEL and CBAR initiatives, as well as develop flipped classroom approaches that both foster interactions among students and instructors and enhance skill development. The project team will integrate the experience of ongoing flexible learning initiatives in the faculty, incorporate community partner feedback, blend current flexible learning strategies from online to face-to-face versions of courses, and create online repositories of resources for the Core Series. This will be the first year (grant funded) of an expected three-year project (pending future successful grant applications).

Description of the role
As a part of a larger team, and reporting to Will Valley (Instructor 1, Coordinator of the Core Series), the Research Fellow will:

• Support a curriculum design renewal for the LFS core series (LFS 100, 150, 250, 350 and 450) to incorporate flexible learning strategies and technologies;
• Work with course instructors and support staff to research  and refine course learning objectives, content, assessments, rubrics and teaching resources;
• Research and recommend a critical reflection strategy to support student learning;
• Research and develop (with technical support) appropriate instructional materials for core series courses including online and multi-media materials;
• Support a community of practice and enable adoption of course changes through curriculum mapping exercises;
• Research and support the creation and implementation of evaluation tools for both student learning outcomes as well as process (e.g., measure engagement success between students and community )

Publication of research related to the impact of these innovations is encouraged.

Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with the following qualifications;

·        Ph.D. in Education or appropriate field completed within the last three years;

·        Experience assessing transformative and/or experiential learning pedagogical approaches;

·        Experience with food system education;

·        Experience in curriculum development, mapping, and evaluation;  

·        Experience with online or blended learning, developing educational resources, activities, rubrics and assessments;

• Experience in conceptualizing, conducting, and writing results of educational research;
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet multiple deadlines;
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment;

·        Fluent in English.

Other information

The initial appointment is for 1 year, and may be renewable depending on funding and performance. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests (max. 2 pages), evidence of their relevant work (course outlines, curriculum projects etc.) (max. 4 pages) and the names and complete contact information (including phone and e- mail) of three references to: melanie [dot] train [at] ubc [dot] ca by May 28^th, 2014. Please submit the requested material as a single file in either word or pdf format.  The ideal candidate will be able to start on or before July 1, 2014.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.