Adjunct Research Faculty Member – Department of Research

Job Description:

Saybrook University is seeking Adjunct Research Faculty Members to join its Department of Research to teach courses and oversee student research.

Saybrook University is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body and is recruiting passionate educators to support the university's mission. Saybrook University seeks candidates with strong experience conducting and teaching research.

Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Research, the Adjunct Research Faculty Member is responsible for providing excellent research instruction, mentoring graduate students, and serving on dissertation committees. Ideal candidates understand diverse student learners and understand the unique humanistic style of instruction at Saybrook University. In addition, ideal candidates have experience in research instruction and are active researchers.

Under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Research, the Adjunct Research Faculty Member is responsible for the following:

• Teaching 1-2 graduate research courses per year and/or serving on dissertation or thesis committees as a research methodologist.

• Participating in curriculum development as needed.

• Advising graduate students.

• Managing the class syllabus to ensure instruction of identified course learning outcomes.

• Planning and creating lectures, learning materials and exercises, online discussions, and assignments.

• Grading of coursework.

• Providing constructive feedback, guidance, and oversight of student research.

• Exhibiting flexibility in teaching students from diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrating strong computer and Learning Management Systems competency (Canvas preferred).

• Engaging in collaborative activities with professional staff, faculty, and students across the University.

Dissertation committees are comprised of three roles: Chair, Methodologist, and Reader:

Dissertation Chair Responsibilities

• Dissertation chairs serve as advisors and mentors to students as they research and write proposals and dissertations. Chairs ensure students follow all program, department, college, and university procedures.

• Use Canvas LMS to communicate with students and evaluate their progress, materials, and drafts.

• Oversee the student in the proposal writing process, IRB application, proposal orals, and defense schedule. 

• Use the provided rubrics.

• Inform students as to milestone requirements in Mentor IRB and Mentor Petitions.

• Facilitate committee discussions regarding student progress and readiness.

• Ensure that the student conducts their research and written dissertation in compliance with Saybrook’s ethical guidelines and academic best practices, including those stated in the university’s policies and procedures.

Dissertation Methodologist Responsibilities

• Contribute to assessing the student’s readiness to utilize the chosen methodology.

• Collaborate with the dissertation chair to support the student through the construction of the proposal and dissertation and the execution of the applied research.

• Provide written feedback regarding the application of the method in all parts of the proposal and dissertation.

• Use the provided rubrics.

Dissertation Subject Matter Knowledge/Reader Responsibilities

• Contribute to assessing the student’s subject matter knowledge.

• Collaborate with the dissertation chair to support the student through the construction of the proposal and dissertation and the execution of the applied research.

• Provide written feedback regarding the subject matter in all parts of the proposal and dissertation.

• Use the provided rubrics.

Position Requirements:

• Each member must have primary U.S. residency.

• Library and Information Competency

• A doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning is required, ideally in research, psychology, or integrative medicine. However, strong candidates from other fields will be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years experience developing and teaching graduate-level research courses at the foundational and advanced levels and mentoring students on dissertations.

• Knowledge and experience of online higher education and research/IRB administration best practices.

• Experience with Office 365, Learning Management Systems