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 eleven Science Fellows representing five science Departments at Columbia (Astronomy, 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 2008 Science Fellow Job Announcement
The Columbia Science Fellows Program 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 have 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 2008/2009.
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. Once an agreement with a potential faculty supervisor is reached, the prospective fellows should send their applications directly to the Fellows Committee.
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 18, 2008.
Applications will be evaluated by faculty specialists and an interdisciplinary committee; research should be presented appropriately. Send hard copy or e-applications to:
Columbia Science Fellows
c/o Elina Yuffa
Assistant Director
Center for the Core Curriculum
202 Hamilton Hall MC 2811
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-4690
Fax (212) 854-3236
fos@columbia.edu
Appointments are for 3 years subject to annual review at a starting salary of $47,000 and an annual research allowance of $4,000. Columbia University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer; women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Current Science Fellows
| Nicolas Biais | Biology | Studying Force Generation by Bacteria |
| Kerry Brown | E3B* | Habitat Suitability Modeling for Tropical Invasive Plants |
| Matt Collinge | Astronomy | Extreme Active Galactic Nuclei, Variable Stars, and the Central Dtructure of the Milky Way |
| Stuart Gill | Astronomy | Studies Metal Enrichment During the First Billion Years of the Universe's Evolution by the 'first objects'. |
| David Kagan | Physics | Quantum field theory and string theory |
| Sharmila Kamat | Astrophysics | Dark Matter Detection |
| Rachna Kaushik | Biology | Genetic and Molecular Basis of Animal Behavior That Can Be Traced and Localized to Various Neuroanatomical Locations in the Brain |
| Alison Keimowitz | DEES** | Researches Pollution-Degrading Bacteria |
| Claire Le Pichon | Biology | Researches the function of the prion protein |
| Timon McPhearson | E3B* | Combines Remotely Sensed Satellite Data and Niche-Based Models to Investigate Biodiversity Patterns in Tibet |
| Beth O'Shea | DEES | Occurrence and distribution of arsenic in groundwater |
| Ana Petrovic | Chemistry | Structural investigation of chiral organic, inorganic and biomolecules via tandem implementation of three chiroptical spectroscopic methods (Vibrational Circular Dichroism, Electronic Circular Dichroism and Optical Rotatory Dispersion). |
*E3B - Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
**DEES - Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Past Science Fellow Experience - An Article by Robin McGary Herrnstein