Overview
The Department of Medical Education (DME) is a basic science department of Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) and the academic home to faculty members whose primary responsibility is education in the professional programs on the Health Sciences campus in downtown Boston. DME faculty and staff work closely with curriculum committees, research-focused faculty, clinical faculty, and the Office of Educational Affairs in the development and delivery of program-specific curricula.
The mission of TUSM is to educate a diverse body of students and advance professional knowledge in a dynamic and collaborative environment, to develop dedicated clinicians, scientists, public health professionals, and educators who will have a sustained positive impact on the health of individuals, communities, and the world. To support this mission, the DME serves as a center of teaching excellence and innovation that uses and studies pedagogical approaches to best support the development of life-long professional learners.
Central to this mission, members of DME serve in key roles in the Medical, Dental, Physician Assistant, and MS in Biomedical Sciences programs. Within one or more of these programs, DME faculty members currently hold leadership positions (course director/curriculum director) in the teaching of anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, histology, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology. The Michael J Anatomy Laboratory and the Anatomical Gift Program operate within DME.
Synergizing with the primary mission of the Department of Medical Education to educate a diverse population of healthcare leaders, the Center for Science Education (CSE) was founded in 2009 to design and study new approaches to engage high school students from under-resourced and underrepresented backgrounds in science. To accomplish this, the CSE leverages collaborative partnerships that bridge the divide between biomedical scientists, high school educators, and education researchers.
The CSE specializes in design-based research projects that aim to: bring the up-to-date science behind health and disease into high school classrooms; understand approaches that shape student perceptions of self and STEM careers; and identify educational practices that engage students in authentic science experiences to build scientific and health literacy.
The CSE is the home of multiple programs that span formal and informal science education spaces. Including:
- The Great Diseases - A full year curriculum for Biology II classrooms focusing on infectious diseases, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases and cancer.
- Teaching the Great Diseases - An online graduate program for science teachers interested in teaching about health topics.
- BioScann - A classroom-based digital role-play experience that integrates career awareness and data analysis. BioScann provides an opportunity for students to imagine themselves in STEM careers and practice the skills necessary for those jobs..
- Mini-Med School - A two week program offered online and in-person that engages highly motivated students in medical school experiences. Mini-Med School showcases a range of health careers.
Mini-Med Connect - A four week near-peer mentoring program that connects Boston area high school students to STEM mentors, while providing a scholarship to the Mini-Med School and a paid summer internship for the students and mentors. This program focuses on students who are from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM and health sciences
What You'll Do
The Associate Director of TUSM’s Center for Science Education will work collaboratively with Dr., Jacque to expand and grow the Mini Medical School, build on DEIJ focused efforts at the Center. The AD of CSE will also be eligible to apply for a secondary appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Education.
Co-Direct Mini Medical School with Dr. Jacque including:
- Co-design of programing and instruction
- Coordinating and supporting faculty instructors and TA training
- Oversee and manage selected projects of the Associate Director of Mini Med School
- Strategic planning for program growth
Project leadership in the Center for Science Education. The project(s) will build on existing DEIJ focused efforts at the Center for Science Education.
- Management of one Research Associate and management of future hires at CSE
- Curriculum design, evaluation and education research
- Efforts will focus on high school or undergraduate programing to expand diversity in science and medicine
- The AD of CSE will be eligible to apply for a secondary appointment in DME as an Assistant Professor. If appointed, the AD of CSE would be eligible to teach in the Department of Medical Education (DME).
What We're Looking For
Basic Requiremets:
- PhD, MD or another biomedical doctorate required
- Knowledge of biomedical and medical content. Area of expertise is flexible.
- Previous experience running large programs
- Significant instructional / teaching experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- History of grants and publication in STEM education space
- Experience working with high school students
