Senior Education and Outreach Program Manager - Center for Engineering MechanoBiology (CEMB) - Penn Engineering

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Education and Outreach Program Manager - Center for Engineering MechanoBiology (CEMB) - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Manager B, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary

The Senior Education and Outreach Program Manager (EOPM) is responsible for designing and implementing CEMB education outreach programs and legacy goals, focusing primarily on K-16 student populations and K-12 teachers. The EOPM will direct and manage the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program including: recruitment of local teachers; research, develop and oversee delivery of the Mechanobiology 101 curriculum and teacher professional development (PD) activities; conduct on-going mixed-methods evaluation and assessment of RET and outreach programming; and establish strategic partnerships across the Graduate School of Education, the Department of Biology, the CEMB and its affiliates on joint education projects in support of program goals. The EOPM will write and publish protocols, lesson plans, and peer-reviewed research papers resulting from data collected and analyzed as a result of the RET and outreach programs. The EOPM will build strong relationships with program alumni and community contacts to design and disseminate center-developed lesson plans and innovative mechanobiology learning content for young audiences. Provide project management and support for multiple education programs and in collaboration with faculty, trainees, and staff across the multi-institutional Center to develop effective programming for community members. In collaboration with the Director of Education and Assistant Director of Education and Diversity, define the vision and planning of the Center’s education goals, with specific legacy, sustainability, and dissemination goals in mind. Oversee the logistical and instructional components of the undergraduate internship program, in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Education and Diversity and the Managing Director. Aid in additional education and center outreach programs as requested by the Managing Director, such as Boot Camp and outward-facing symposia and conferences.
The mission of the CEMB is to discover how biological systems communicate using molecular and cellular methods. The CEMB will engineer new and powerful cell-based devices and train students in the foundations of mechanobiology, bringing together leading researchers at the intersection of biology, mechanics, and engineering. Our programs especially seek to develop the next general of scientists and engineers from populations underrepresented in STEM, such as underrepresented minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and financially disadvantaged students to grow a diverse and talented workforce for the future. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Penn is the lead institution together with nine other partnering universities and a wider network of specific educational partners.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Develop, direct, and lead the RET program, including recruitment and application management; running the week-long Mechanobiology 101 curriculum, Friday working group meetings during the summer, and Saturday PD meet-ups during the academic year. Oversee and manage teacher participants’ execution of program goals and deliverables. These duties include forging partnerships with local teachers and administrators to implement and classroom test new, innovative curricula during the academic year; conducting educational research on student learning effects of interventions; facilitating teachers’ publications of lesson plans on the CEMB website and for TeachEngineering.org.

• Create open-access, online teacher PD course resulting from Center-developed curricula using a design-based research methodology to disseminate innovative, high-quality mechanobiology curricula on a large scale. Digitize professional development resources for K12 teachers and disseminate work widely. Work with CEMB and university partners to develop a mechanobiology video series that will be featured in PD resources.

• Facilitate and implement outreach workshops and lessons at regional schools and center partners, The Franklin Institute, FirstHand, and with other community partners. Engage CEMB members to participate and contribute to outreach activities.

• Conduct education research related to CEMB programs. Conceptualize research studies, collect data, analyze data, and author peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings to disseminate the Center's education research and accomplishments. Aid Center members in IRB submissions and advise on education-related research. Cultivate partnerships with GSE faculty and mentor GSE graduate students to enhance research practices and dissemination.

• Coordinate and run the Undergraduates Expanding Boundaries summer program, in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Education and Diversity. Provide instruction and professional development to participants as needed.

• Contribute to and define the strategic planning and vision of the CEMB’s education legacy and sustainability. Identify strategies and opportunities for new program funding and contribute to funding proposals. Contribute to program evaluation with the external evaluation team and in advisory board meetings.

• Build and maintain relationships with local school district teachers and administrators, community organizations, and other local partners to further education initiatives. Leverage connections across the Center, university and the local community to develop new, synergistic collaborations for current and future projects.

• Assist with other educational programs and CEMB events as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, education, or closely related discipline with 2-3 years of teaching and program management-related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Ph.D. in one of the related disciplines or an advanced degree in education (MA, PhD, EdD) and research experience strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with research and methodologies in the learning sciences and experience publishing peer-reviewed research papers.

• Demonstrated proficiency in teaching STEM integration to diverse audiences preferred. Experience with relevance to mechanobiology preferred.

• Experience developing and running workshops, seminars, or other training sessions. Classroom and teaching experience preferred.

• Ability to independently scope and run multiple, concurrent projects independently.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Some travel required to partner institutions, recruitment events, and conferences. Position is contingent on continued funding.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $70,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay