The Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) was established in order to provide a summer enrichment experience in the sciences and mathematics for hardworking Pennsylvania high school students and to encourage them to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The program provides instruction in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, with emphasis on collaborative learning and team research. 

The PGSS is a 5-week STEM enrichment program. We are seeking multiple faculty members for summer employment for the 2021 session. 

Our particular focus is on five Core Subject Areas of:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics

Temporary Faculty Appointments are available for each of the following types of appointment:

• Core Course Instructor - Our five Core Courses provide a common educational experience for all of the PGSS students. Core Courses meet for 50 minutes, 4 mornings a week, for the first four weeks of the program. (specific weekly schedule TBD)
• Laboratory Course Instructor - Students choose one laboratory course in one of the four Core Subject Areas of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics. Laboratory Courses meet two afternoons a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) 2:30 ? 5:30 PM, for the first four weeks of the program.
• Elective Course Instructor - A variety of special topic Elective Courses are offered each year, depending on the particular interests of the faculty. Elective Courses meet for 50 minutes, twice a week in the afternoon or evening (specific schedules TBD), for the first four weeks of the program.
• Faculty Advisor for a Team Research Project - Students choose a Team Research Project from the menu of options, based on their particular interests. A typical team consists of six to ten students and an undergraduate Teaching Assistant (TA). Team Projects meet two afternoons a week (Mondays and Thursdays) 2:30 ? 5:30 PM for the first four weeks of the program, plus additional time as needed early in the fifth week to complete the final paper and PowerPoint presentation.

Faculty Responsibilities include:

• Meeting with TAs prior to the start of the program to manage course content or scope of research project and expectations
• Managing the planning and delivering of daily course contents and crafting weekly homework assignments (for Core, Lab, or Elective Course Instructors)
• Providing the intellectual idea for a challenging but doable project (for Project Advisors)
• Advising the students, as needed, during the scheduled research sessions (for Project Advisors)
• Providing feedback on homework or lab notebooks to the students with the help of undergraduate TAs
• Providing feedback on overall performance of each student in their course or project to the PGSS Program Director

We do not yet know if the PGSS 2021 program will be run on campus or remotely on Zoom.  If we are on campus, classroom space, laboratory and/or computing facilities will be provided on the Pittsburgh campus of Carnegie Mellon University, as well as supplies and materials needed to carry out lab work and/or research.  If we must run the program remotely on Zoom (as we did very successfully for the 2020 program), successful candidates must be comfortable with remote instruction and provide course content or research projects that are conducive to remote delivery.

For more information about the PGSS program, please visit: http://sciences.pa-gov-schools.org/ .

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor?s Degree plus three years of work experience in one of our Core subject areas required
• Master?s Degree plus work experience or Ph.D. in the relevant subject area are preferred

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within PGSS. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued proficiencies. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the PGSS through their work. 

Application materials, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae should be submitted via this Interfolio site. Applicants are also asked to arrange for a minimum of three confidential letters of recommendation to be uploaded to Interfolio. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information.  Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. Consistent with this commitment, Carnegie Mellon will no longer be requiring or considering applicant diversity statements. If you are interested in this position and have not yet submitted a diversity statement, please do not do so. If you have already submitted a diversity statement, please know that any diversity statements submitted by applicants for this opportunity will not be considered in the hiring decision.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon (www.cmu.edu) is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 12,000 students in the university’s seven schools and colleges benefit from a small student-to-faculty ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. A global university, Carnegie Mellon’s main campus in the United States is in Pittsburgh, Pa. It has campuses in California’s Silicon Valley and Qatar, and programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Mexico.

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