IRI is seeking faculty to teach Introduction to Research during the school year and during the summer term. This is a single class ranging from 1-20 students with a fixed, provided curriculum.

IRI is also seeking faculty to mentor students completing 1-3 year Longer Research Programs. This is a mentorship opportunity. The teaching faculty is supported by several research mentors (teaching assistants, aka TA or RM).

Candidates must possess a PhD in math or engineering and currently hold an appointment as Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor at a Canadian university. Professors of the Practice and similar appointments are welcome.

The faculty will receive an appointment at a rank commensurate with their background and experience. The faculty will report to the Academic Director, Dr. Robert Malkin (Robert.malkin@iri-nc.org), Professor of the Practice, Emeritus at Duke University.

About IRI

IRI was born from the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to continue to make research opportunities available to talented high school students safely. We continue this mission with 100% remote research opportunities for students from around the world. They can work with faculty from world-renowned universities from the safety of their homes. Whether they are from a rural community without access to university laboratories or just looking to boost their resume, IRI can help.

Introduction to Research, Introduction to Medical Case Studies:

Teaching Activities The Introduction to Research program is a four- or eight-week individual or group class that starts with students defining a research topic and ends with them presenting a written and oral literature review.

Teaching Activities

• Meet students individually three times (question definition, question refinement, final presentation) for 30-60 minutes at each meeting.
• If interested, meet with one or two student groups (of 2-5 students each), meeting on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday (depending on the group) at 9 AM ET three times (question definition, question refinement, final presentation).
• Occasionally respond to students’ requests for additional information on their assignments, including email and, rarely, extra meetings.
• Hold weekly office hours at a fixed time each week (on-demand may also be offered)
• Provide constructive feedback at each stage to the students on their research question and literature review.
• Provide a short evaluation of each student to IRI on the student’s strengths and weaknesses upon their completion of the class.
• Provide letters of recommendation to students, as needed
• Supervise multiple RMs (research mentors or teaching assistants)

The Introduction to Research class does not have any lecture or seminar component. There are a total of eight meetings. The students, or student groups, meet for three meetings with the faculty and research mentor, and the remaining 5 are facilitated by the Research Mentor (RM/TA).

Longer Research Programs

Teaching Activities

• Provide research projects from existing or new data

· Meet students individually about once per week for 30-60 minutes at each meeting.

• Provide constructive feedback at each stage to the students on their research question and literature review.

· Mentor students through to publication in a peer-reviewed, archived, impact-factor-rated journal.

• Provide letters of recommendation to students, as needed
• Supervise multiple RMs (research mentors or teaching assistants)

All IRI courses are remote (via Teams or similar). There are no in-person meetings allowed with students or RM/TA’s.

You will be asked to complete a training and a criminal background check before starting to work with students.

You may be asked to occasionally participate in IRI faculty meetings.

IRI is particularly interested in faculty with backgrounds in Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary studies, Nursing, Math, Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry, and AI, however, all areas of STEM will be considered.

Important considerations

• The faculty is expected to create a schedule of available hours each week during the term sufficient to allow the Research Mentor to schedule the one-on-one meetings.
• The faculty is expected to create a schedule of office hours at one fixed time each week. Optionally, the faculty may offer on-demand office hours.
• One-on-one students may schedule meetings at the convenience of the faculty and student: There are no set business hours or class hours for the one-on-one students. You will be asked to work across many time zones. These activities may be scheduled at a time mutually beneficial for the student and the faculty. But every effort should be made by the faculty to accommodate students.
• If interested in taking on groups, the faculty must be available to meet with groups on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday (depending on the group) at 9 AM EDT throughout the summer.
• Students choose their research area. Faculty are expected to guide students across a wide range of topics. Topical expertise is not required. The standards and deliverables are uniform across all areas of inquiry.
• This is a 100% remote position. The faculty must have a stable and reliable internet connection and a quiet working environment.
• IRI is a highly diverse organization; we value respect and tolerance. Our students and faculty come from very different cultures and backgrounds.
• The faculty must be fluent in English: excellent verbal & written skills. A C1 English level or better is required.
• The faculty must possess a PhD in a science field such as biology, physics, math, engineering, or chemistry.

• The faculty must currently hold an appointment as Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor at a US or Canadian university. Professors of the Practice and similar appointments are welcome.

• Compensation depends on class size and program, ranging from $250 to $2000 per student.