Associate Director of Neuroscience Education

Job Description

The Associate Director of Neuroscience Education will support the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of graduate neuroscience education and trainee development programs. Reporting to the vice chair, this role will collaborate closely with Department of Neurobiology faculty, Program in Neuroscience (PiN) leadership, PiNBAC leadership and the Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation and Scholarship. 

The position will provide strategic and operational leadership for core and elective neuroscience courses, professional development programming, mentorship initiatives, educational assessment, and recruitment activities. The Associate Director will also contribute to educational scholarship focused on neuroscience training and student learning.

Curriculum Development and Instructional Innovation

• Serve as Co-Course Director for the core graduate Discipline of Neuroscience course.
• Collaborate with department faculty to refine and enhance the course syllabus, learning objectives, instructional methods, and assessments.
• Incorporate evidence-based pedagogical practices and innovative approaches to graduate neuroscience education.
• Work with the Vice Chair of Neurobiology and PiN leadership team to develop and refine elective courses for neuroscience PhD students. Identify, recruit, and support subject-matter experts who lead new or revised elective courses.
• Provide guidance on course design, instructional strategies, and assessment of student learning.
• Identify opportunities to pilot, evaluate, and scale innovations in neuroscience education.
• Teach within the graduate and professional development curricula and serve as a neuroscience resource for students.

Educational Program Evaluation and Improvement

• Develop and implement strategies, tools, and processes to evaluate graduate coursework and co-curricular or paracurricular training programs.
• Analyze evaluation findings and use results to recommend improvements to courses and training programs.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean to develop, conduct, and publish educational scholarship related to departmental neuroscience education and trainee development.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement through data-informed program planning and assessment.

Program and Course Administration

• Oversee the administrative operations of the core graduate Discipline of Neuroscience course.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate teaching fellows.
• Coordinate with instructors to ensure timely, effective, and well-integrated course delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the course, facilitating communication among course directors, faculty instructors, teaching fellows, and students.
• Partner with the PiN program administrator to support faculty with the administrative logistics associated with developing and launching new elective courses.
• Assist with course scheduling, communications, instructional materials, assessments, and other operational needs.
• Support outreach and recruitment activities for PiN and PiNBAC.
• Organize and participate in recruitment events, including the graduate fair at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference and virtual information and recruitment sessions.

Academic and Professional Development Programming

• Collaborate with PiN leadership and the Assistant Dean to design and deliver professional development workshops, boot camps, orientation programs, and other training activities.
• Develop programming that equips students, research assistants, and postdoctoral trainees with practical skills for academic and professional success.
• Lecture and facilitate sessions on topics relevant to neuroscience training, academic development, career preparation, and professional effectiveness.
• Create resources to help trainees navigate academic, research, and career pathways.
• Develop and deliver programming focused on career exploration.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter/teaching philosophy statement that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, education, or a related field highly preferred.
• Experience developing and teaching graduate-level neuroscience or biomedical science courses.
• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
• Experience with curriculum design, course administration, and educational assessment.
• Experience developing professional development, mentorship, or career programming for students or trainees.
• Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Experience conducting or contributing to educational research and scholarship. Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, and research personnel in a complex academic environment.
• Strength in teaching quantitative approaches to biological questions.

Additional Information

• Term: This is a 1 year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.  
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education.
• Interview Format: The interview process will include both virtual and in-person components (e.g., initial virtual screening followed by on-campus final interviews).
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Salary Grade: 058