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Postdoctoral Training Fellowships
Overview:
The REBUILD Detroit Program, a consortium of Marygrove College, University of Detroit Mercy,
Wayne State University and Wayne County Community College District, seeks three
postdoctoral training fellows (PTFs) to support the implementation of a $21.2 M five-year grant
from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of the REBUILD Detroit Program is to
transform undergraduate education at the four member institutions to establish Detroit as a
center for biomedical research training for underrepresented undergraduate students.
The PTFs will collaborate with consortium faculty, staff, and undergraduate students to design a
common curriculum emphasizing mentored research among Detroit’s diverse student
populations leading to accelerated pipelines into master’s and doctoral degrees to ensure
students succeed in biomedical research careers. This common curriculum will include courses
containing authentic research experiences based on the Research Coordination Network (RCN)
model in the areas of biology, chemistry, and social/health sciences. For more information, see
www.rebuildetroit.org.
We seek postdoctoral candidates with a strong interest in undergraduate teaching and
research. PTFs will work closely with faculty mentors across the four institutions on:
implementing innovative pedagogical strategies in courses based on the RCN model, facilitating
a RCN learning community with graduate teaching fellows at each institution, engaging with
undergraduate BUILD Scholars on joint research experiences, and participating in various
capacities in summer enrichment programs.
Program Objectives:
For PTFs, it is expected that this role in the REBUILD Detroit Program will provide opportunities
to significantly deepen your understanding of and skills in science teaching in a higher
education environment including community colleges, regional or state colleges, and primarily
undergraduate institutions (PUIs). Over the course of this two-year fulltime fellowship, PTFs will
design learning experiences, assessments, and laboratory exercises; engage in research
activities with students; guide student learning communities; teach using evidence-based
methods; meet with mentors; and participate in professional development workshops and
conferences. In addition to gaining the above experiences, PTFs will develop a teaching
portfolio to prepare for future positions with a strong emphasis in undergraduate STEM
education. It is also expected that the PTF will actively seek a full-time faculty position during
the second year of their fellowship.
Postdoctoral Training Fellowships
Eligibility:
The REBUILDETROIT Program Postdoctoral training fellowships are open to postdoctoral
scientists with an interest in undergraduate STEM education (a potential to blend their research
with undergraduate education). Eligibility is not restricted to scientists in biomedical programs,
but they should have previous research experience with the disciplinary content associated
with one of the RCN models:
 Chemistry: environmental and analytical chemistry
 Biology: genomics, bioinformatics
 Social/Health Sciences: socioecological mixed-methods to investigate health disparities
Applicants should have a commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching as well as an
active research agenda related to one of the RCN areas.
To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be: 1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents of
the United States at the time of application; 2) received a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent)
in a STEM discipline (including social and behavioral sciences) no earlier than 2009 and before
September 2015.
This is a 2-year fellowship funded by a NIH grant.
Application Process:
Complete applications must include the following items.
1. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
2. An unofficial transcript of doctoral coursework
3. Cover letter describing their professional background, including any prior teaching
experience, and career goals
4. Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from your doctoral research
advisor.
Please compile items 1-3 into one PDF file and send it to [email protected].
Letters of recommendation/support may be sent directly to [email protected].
Notification:
Review of applications will begin April 30, 2015. Applicants will be notified by May 31, 2015.
Fellowships will commence Fall 2015.
Please contact Ms. Kiana Daniels, Coordinator, REBUILDETROIT Program, Institutional
Development Core, at [email protected] if you have questions.