Center for Public Engagement with Science, Post Doc Fellow, College of Arts and Sciences

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors > http://bit.ly/UCEMPL

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to over 50,000 students, 11,000 faculty and staff and 332,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, nine straight years of record enrollment, global leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget tops $1.65 billion and its endowment totals $1.8 billion.

The Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) at the University of Cincinnati is an interdisciplinary initiative to expand and enrich the interface between science and the public to benefit all stakeholders. PEWS involves an engaged network of 23 Faculty Affiliates across 8 UC colleges, alongside many partner organizations in Greater Cincinnati. Our primary activities include organizing public initiatives related to science, supporting UC researchers’ outreach efforts, and conducting interdisciplinary training and research on effective public engagement.

PEWS seeks a postdoctoral fellow to support the Center’s operations and growth and to pursue initiatives related to public engagement with science. We invite applications from those with a recent PhD in any academic discipline with an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and demonstrated experience in one or another aspect of public engagement with science. We interpret public engagement with science broadly, to include science communication, informal and formal science education, public participation in scientific research, science policy, and more.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will also have the opportunity to engage in research and professional development in their discipline(s) and in the interdisciplinary setting of PEWS, with a small annual discretionary budget to support travel and/or research. We anticipate that approximately 30% of the Fellow’s time will be dedicated to pursuing their own professional goals in research and/or outreach.

The postdoctoral fellow will be mentored by PEWS Director, Dr. Angela Potochnik, and a faculty mentor of their choice within their discipline, with additional support from the PEWS Leadership Team.

This is a one-year appointment with a starting salary of $60,000, including benefits. This position is anticipated to start in August 2024. Renewal for a second year is possible, pending budgetary support and success in the position.

• Mentorship and oversight of graduate and undergraduate student interns;

• Management of PEWS internal and external communications, including file management and web, email, and social media presence;

• Support for PEWS operations, including grant writing, developing community partnerships, and event management;

• Development and expansion of public engagement initiatives.

Doctoral degree in a field relevant to public engagement with science, including but not limited to any STEM discipline, Education, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Philosophy, Science and Technology Studies, and Sociology.

Demonstrated experience in one or another aspect of public engagement with science, broadly construed to include science communication, informal and formal science education, public participation in scientific research, science policy, and more. 

We will begin reviewing applications February 20, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. In addition to the online application, please include: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research background and interests (2 pages maximum), and a statement of background and interests in public engagement. Applicants should also arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation to be emailed to [email protected].

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range dependent on the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.uc.edu/careers.html .

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] . 

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQ: 94971 

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