STEM Teaching Fellow (STEM Research Mentor)

Join Our Team as a STEM Teaching Fellow (STEM Research Mentor)

Are you a current Master’s or PhD student in a STEM field at a university in the United States or Canada?

Do you have a passion for guiding young minds through the world of STEM research?

Do you want an opportunity to co-author on peer-reviewed papers?

Are you interested in collaborating with Top-tier Faculty?

At IRI (International Research Institute of North Carolina), we offer you all that and more! 

We're offering you the chance to make a real difference in the lives of high school students and young university students from across the globe. As a Research Mentor (RM), you'll have the rewarding opportunity to mentor and support these eager young researchers as they embark on their scientific journeys. 

 What You'll Gain as a Research Mentor:

• Co-authorship Opportunities: Collaborate on peer-reviewed papers and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
• Mentorship Experience: Guide and inspire students from diverse backgrounds, helping them unleash their full potential.
• Expand Your STEM Knowledge: Explore a wide range of scientific subjects and enhance your understanding through direct engagement with students and faculty.
• Enhance Academic Writing: Sharpen your academic writing skills as you assist students in crafting their research papers and proposals.
• Work with Top-tier Faculty: Collaborate directly with faculty members in several fields across several universities, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of remote work and create a schedule that suits your needs while you study.

Minimum Requirements:

• Current Master’s or PhD student in a STEM field at a university in the United States or Canada.
• Currently residing in the United States or Canada.
• Have a minimum of one year remaining in your academic program 
• You should have previous STEM research experience
• Previous experience as a Teaching Assistant, or similar
• Passion for mentoring teenagers is vital
• Fluent in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills (C2 level required)
• Access to a stable internet connection for remote work
• Quiet place to hold the online sessions

Good to have:

• Published scientific papers
• Experience participating in science conferences     
• Experience in mentoring high school students

Important Considerations:

• Since this is a fully remote position, you'll enjoy the flexibility of scheduling your activities according to your availability, as there are no fixed business hours. You'll have the opportunity to connect with students and staff from diverse backgrounds and time zones, participating in regular meetings to support their research journey. While scheduling these activities, we encourage you to collaborate with students and partners to find mutually convenient times.
• IRI is a highly diverse organization; we value respect and tolerance. Our students and faculty come from very different cultures and backgrounds.

About the Role:

As an RM, you'll play a pivotal role in guiding students through their research journey. Your responsibilities will include:

• Connecting with students and understanding their interests, goals, and motivation.
• Facilitating literature searches and guiding students through the research process.
• Assisting students in developing research methodologies and obtaining necessary ethics approvals.
• Providing ongoing support and guidance to help students overcome challenges and progress in their research.
• Meeting with the student for one hour per week, sending debrief emails about the meeting, and scheduling the next one.
• Attend lab meetings when you are assigned to Research Assistant students. The time may vary based on each lab. You will occasionally be asked to present your research and/or work at the lab meetings (e.g., lead paper reviews and participate in discussion).
• Evaluating student performance (once per term).

Some of the knowledge needed for this role includes defining and narrowing down research questions, properly citing sources, finding relevant sources, academic writing, proofreading, proper scientific presentations, and the content and writing of a literature review. Subject-specific knowledge is not required.

Soft skills are also relevant for this role which includes rapport building, understanding, and keeping motivation, clear communication, effective feedback, intercultural communication, and patience. As well as project coordination and setting meeting with several students and the PI. 

Non-contact hours will include the following tasks:

• Scheduling one-on-one meetings with the student (via email to be held over Teams, etc.)
• Brief notes on student meetings 
• Review student’s written work 
• Final evaluation of student performance (once per term)
• Faculty updates on student progress through email or meetings

About IRI:

IRI emerged from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with a mission to provide safe and accessible research opportunities for talented high school students worldwide. Our remote research programs connect students with university faculty, enabling them to conduct meaningful research from the comfort of their homes. Whether students hail from rural communities or urban centers, IRI is dedicated to fostering their research skills and facilitating publication in peer-reviewed journals.

At IRI, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and ensure that every candidate is considered fairly, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status. Our dedication to diversity and equality is ingrained in everything we do, and we actively strive to uphold these values by fostering a workplace that is free from discrimination. 

If you're ready to embark on this rewarding journey as a Research Mentor with IRI, apply now and be part of our mission to empower the next generation of researchers!

Learn more about IRI, our programs, faculty, and students at www.iri-nc.org.