The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences seeks four doctoral students to serve as Teaching Fellows at the upcoming 2014 iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3). i3 is an undergraduate research and leadership-development program that prepares students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences. Each year, 20 to 25 undergraduate students from across the country are selected to become i3 Scholars. Those students undertake a year-long experience that includes two summer institutes held at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences and a year-long, team research project.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has supported i3 with three grants totaling more than $1.5 million. Most recently, a three-year renewal grant of $819,000 was awarded in June 2013 to expand the size of the program through 2016. Additional support has come from the iSchools Caucus, a consortium of information schools dedicated to advancing the information sciences as a broad, interdisciplinary field. Select partner iSchools have created scholarship offerings for i3 Scholars applying to their respective graduate programs.

Job Duties:  i3 Teaching Fellows will co-teach a two-week module to the 2014 cohort of i3 Scholars (25 students). Two Teaching Fellows will be selected to co-teach a two-week Programming Module, introducing students to the basics of a programming language (preferably Python, but will consider others). An additional two Teaching Fellows will be selected to co-teach a two-week Research Design module introducing students to key research elements (e.g., formulating research questions, choosing between qualitative and quantitative methods, coordinating a research study, data collection, data analysis, presentation of findings).

Teaching Fellows will be responsible for co-teaching 1.25 hours per day for 10 days. Additional time will be required for instructional preparation and follow-up with i3 Scholars. Teaching Fellows may also attend any of the other i3 events, speakers, or tours included in the institute schedule.

The class schedule, a detailed curriculum outline, and teaching resources will be provided by i3. With assistance from i3 Faculty and Staff, Teaching Fellows will be responsible for developing and delivering the daily, in-class content of their respective modules.

Teaching Fellows will be provided with office space within the School of Information Sciences, access to our labs, access to the University’s 17 libraries, access to office supplies and equipment, and the support of our administrative staff.

During their residency, Teaching Fellows will have the opportunity to individually teach a workshop/seminar on a topic of their choosing. In addition, Teaching Fellows will be paired with a faculty mentor from the iSchool at Pitt throughout the fellowship period to provide guidance and facilitate professional development.

Teaching Fellow Dates: Arrival at University of Pittsburgh: June 5, 2014. Departure from University of Pittsburgh: June 21, 2014. Teaching Modules: June 9-20, 2014.
Required Qualifications:  Applicants must have documented experience as a teaching assistant or course instructor within an iSchool or similar institutional context. Applicants must have completed one semester of course work at the doctoral level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents

Preferred Qualifications:  Applicants should have experience working with students from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds and documented experience working in a diverse, multicultural teaching and research environment. Applicants should ideally have the long-term goal of becoming a faculty member at an iSchool or similar institutional context. Doctoral students at iSchools will receive priority consideration. Doctoral students from iSchools other than the University of Pittsburgh are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and increasing opportunities for underrepresented populations.

Compensation:  Fellows will receive a $1,000 honorarium and $250 for course supplies and materials. Travel expenditures to/from Pittsburgh will be paid for by i3. Housing arrangements will be made in University of Pittsburgh apartments and provided by i3 at no cost to Teaching Fellows.
Application Materials:  Application packages should include a cover letter, CV, and sample course evaluations or a letter from a faculty member attesting to the applicant’s teaching excellence. Applicants should indicate in their cover letters their preferred teaching module (i.e., Programming or Research Design).

Application packages should be submitted via email to Michael Depew (i3 Director) at i3info@pitt.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by January 31, 2014.

The University of Pittsburgh prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran.

 

Contact Information:
Michael Depew
Director, iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3)
University of Pittsburgh
School of Information Sciences
135 N. Bellefield Avenue, Room 603
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-3981