For Ph.D.s who aspire to academic careers that include a lot of teaching, the challenge of learning how to conduct courses and organize lab work appropriate to undergraduates can be a considerable challenge. Most grad schools and postdoc positions ignore pedagogy entirely, viewing time spent away from research as time wasted. Nonetheless, several types of postdoctoral opportunities include structured experience standing in front of a classroom, plus mentoring in how to do it well, according to an article in the August HHMI Bulletin. These range from so-called teaching postdocs at liberal arts colleges that emphasize instructing undergraduates to programs that add an element of teaching experience to postdoc positions heavy on research.
"If people want to go into academic positions, a pure teaching postdoc can be fatal," says Joe Handelsman of Yale University, quoted in the article. Even scientists aiming for careers on undergraduate faculties need a solid research record because, the article warns, "schools at all levels -- liberal arts colleges, regional public universities, and major research universities -- look first at research" when they hire. But the data also appear to indicate that participants in combined research and teaching programs can do well at landing faculty jobs. For a consideration of these program's pros and cons, check out the article here.
By Beryl Benderly on July 27, 2011 11:52 PM | Permalink
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