With the creation of Frontiers of Science, a new postdoctoral position was established for young scientists interested in developing their skills in both research and science education. These "Science Fellows" are instrumental in developing new course material. However, Science Fellow positions are not purely teaching appointments. Because one goal of Frontiers of Science is to expose students to the way scientists work and think, Science Fellows actively pursue their own research projects within their department. Yes, being a Science Fellow can certainly make for a busy life, but if you love to teach and don't want to give up research, this may be the perfect position for you!
Currently, there are twelve Science Fellows representing five science Departments at Columbia (Astronomy, Chemistry, DEES**, Biology, E3B*, and Physics). It is expected that roughly three-five of these positions will open each year. If you are interested in becoming a Science Fellow, please follow the job announcement link below for more information and instructions on how to apply.
The 2013 Science Fellow Job Announcement
For more than 80 years, Columbia College has sustained an extensive Core Curriculum, required of all students, which serves as an intensive introduction to the great ideas of Western literature, art, music, and philosophy. In the University’s 250th year, we launched a complementary course in science to be taken by all first-year students.
The course is designed to both introduce students to exciting ideas at the frontiers of science and to inculcate in them scientific habits of mind.
Consistent with the Core tradition, the course features small seminar sections in which topics from throughout the physical and life sciences are discussed. The Science Fellows participate with the faculty in designing and leading these sections.
In addition to individual seminars, Frontiers includes a weekly lecture. Four scientists in different disciplines each deliver a series of three lectures outlining the background, context, and current state of an area of research. Lecturers work with fellows to develop readings and other activities that supplement the lectures and provide material for the seminars.
Applicants will be affiliated with one of the Columbia science departments, which include Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics. Positions are available, subject to funding, for the Academic Year 2012/2013.
Fellows attend both the weekly lectures for the course and the pedagogical seminar that follows. During the two thirteen-week semesters, each fellow leads two 110 min. seminars for roughly 20 students each week. Seminars discuss the lecture and reading assignments. Fellows spend their remaining time pursuing research either with an established Columbia group or independently.
As not all laboratories will have openings this year, applicants are encouraged to consult web pages of the department or departments relevant to their discipline, and to contact specific faculty members or research groups with which they would like to be associated. The program will appoint a number of post-doctoral fellows in the natural sciences for the academic year 2013-2014. We invite applications from qualified candidates who have received or will expect to receive the Ph.D. between1 January 2009 and 1 July 2013. Columbia Science Fellows hold the rank of Lecturer in Discipline in an appropriate natural science department.The fellowship is renewable for a second and third year based on satisfactory performance
Applications should include the following:
1) CV plus 2-page summary of research accomplishments to date,
2) 1-2 page statement of future plans,
3) 1-2 page statement of teaching experience, and
4) three letters of recommendation.
All materials must be received by the application deadline: January 16, 2013.
To apply, please visit our online site:https://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56987
Applications will be evaluated by faculty specialists and an interdisciplinary committee; research should be presented appropriately.
For more information on the program please contact Elina Yuffa fos@columbia.edu or 212-854-4690
Deadline for applications is January 16, 2013.
Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Current Science Fellows
| Suzzette Arnal | Biology | Conducts research on DNA recombination and repair in developing lymphocytes and studies the mechanisms that signal genomic stress to p53, a tumor suppressor gene mutated in half of human cancers |
| Travis Bain | Physics | Conducts research in the field of experimental particle physics as a member of the ATLAS experiment, a multipurpose particle detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. His doctoral work focused on searches for Supersymmetry, a beyond the Standard Model theory, which posits the existence of many new subatomic particles. |
| Imre Bartos | Physics | Studies black hole formation through the gravitational collapse of massive stars and the resulting spectacular explosions, as well as the coalescence of black hole and neutron star binaries. He also works on the biological applications of optics, ranging from malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa to genetics. |
| Allison Franzese | DEES** | Research involves the application of isotope geochemistry to Paleoceanography |
| David Garofalo | Astrophysics | Currently conducts research, in black hole astrophysics |
| Melinda Han | Chemistry | Studied electronic transport in graphene |
| Sharon Hoffman | DEES** | Uses stable and radioactive isotopes of various elements to reconstruct climate and ocean circulation both in the tropics, using stalagmites, and in the Arctic, using seafloor mud. |
| Corinne Kendall | E3B* | Focused on the effects of human activities on avian scavengers, mainly vultures, in East Africa. Her research interests include animal behavior, human-wildlife conflict, and environmental education. |
| Elizabeth Leininger | Biology | Research is focused on the evolution of the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying vocalization in Xenopus (African Clawed frogs). Her research interests include neuroethology and the evolution of behavior and nervous systems. |
| Kelly O'Donnell | E3B* | studies evolutionary ecology of invasive plants. Specifically interested in how selection dynamics may alter the invasion process and the role of phenotypic plasticity in promoting invasion. |
| Allyson Sheffield | Astronomy | studies the motions and chemical nature of stars in our Galaxy, with the goal of understanding how the Galaxy formed |
| Helena Uthas | Astronomy | Research is focused on late evolution of close binary star systems |
*E3B - Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
**DEES - Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Past Science Fellow Experience - An Article by Robin McGary Herrnstein