Current Employment Opportunities

Educational Outreach Coordinator

The Boyce Thompson Institute is seeking a full time educational outreach coordinator with experience in learning and teaching principles to continue the development and expansion of our programs, which includes the Plant Genome Research project (http://bti.cornell.edu/pgrp/). The successful candidate will direct educational outreach on the Ithaca campus in support of multiple plant research labs at the Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, and the USDA.

Good presentation skills are required as the successful candidate will present materials to a variety of audiences including school groups, teachers, and other organizations both on and off campus. In-depth knowledge of plant biology is preferred as this individual will be translating plant science information for teachers, students, and the public. The educational outreach coordinator participates in a variety of groups and must be a good team player.

Key Job Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborate with faculty, postdocs, and graduate students to create, pilot, and evaluate lesson plans and experimental modules for high school classrooms that are closely aligned to the New York State and National Science Education Standards
• Coordinate summer internships for high school and undergraduate students
• Support elementary and high school teacher understanding of plant sciences through a variety of methods including classroom lesson planning and teacher training
• Coordinate volunteers for programs
• Assist with grant writing, creation of promotional materials, and updating of the Educational Outreach web site
• Develop new and innovative programs

Job Requirements and Preferences:

• B.S. in a plant science-related field (Master’s or Ph.D. degree preferred)
• Some research experience with an understanding of molecular biology techniques
• + years experience in a teaching or outreach environment preferred
• Must acquire familiarity with the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program
• Demonstrated expertise in working in collaborative, interdisciplinary projects
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a professional demeanor
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Excellent writing skills and some familiarity with the grant application and scientific writing process
• Motivated, enthusiastic, proactive, and positive personality
• Some weekends, evenings and travel required
• Must have own transportation

Resumes should be submitted to Joan Curtiss at jcc25@cornell.edu. Deadline for submissions is June 9, 2008.

Job # 2008-12