The NJ Community College Connections in Materials Research (C3MR) Visiting Research Scholar (VRS) Program in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

The NJ Community College Connections in Materials Research (C3MR) Visiting Research Scholar (VRS) Program
Location: Princeton, NJ

Salary Range or Pay Grade: $10,833.34 - $11,333.33 total for the 9 weeks

The C3MR visiting research scholar program is a 9-week (June 1, 2027-July 30, 2027) summer appointment at Princeton University for NJ community college faculty to engage in a research and educational partnership with faculty affiliated with the Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM). This program aims to increase community college students' exposure to materials science and engineering and to cutting-edge research. The C3MR visiting research scholar (VRS) is expected to collaborate with an existing PCCM faculty member and jointly mentor two students from the VRS’s home institution. The specific nature of the collaboration will be defined by the visiting research scholar and the partnering PCCM faculty and may involve one or more of the following:

1. Pedagogical innovations: summer research aimed at developing or reworking pedagogical content that aligns materials research (inspired by PCCM research) with the VRS’s teaching curricula as, for example, in research-infused lecture courses, new lab module development, and course-based undergraduate research experiences.

2. Education research: collaborative research on STEM learning processes or teaching methods to increase student engagement and success in materials science and engineering.

3. Contributing to PCCM research: the C3MR VRS and summer students collaborate on and contribute to existing research projects led by the collaborating Princeton faculty. Projects that expose students to instrumentation training and technical lab skills involving PCCM- and PMI-affiliated shared facilities, e.g., the Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) and the Micro/Nanofabrication Center (MNFC), are encouraged but may require approval of and potentially partnership with the core facilities director.

4. Development of other activities that may integrate PCCM research, STEM education, and STEM workforce development for community college students.

Requirements for C3MR VRS

Responsible for selecting two students from their home institution to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

Responsible for submitting an end-of-summer report describing any accomplishments, outcomes, the potential mid- and long-term impact of the work beyond the summer program, and proposed pathways to sustain a relationship with PCCM in the academic year.

Please see the PCCM website for more information about the C3MR program.

The applicant must hold a full-time faculty position at a New Jersey Community College and teach in a STEM discipline.

Appointment will be at the rank of Visiting Research Scholar.

The position is not eligible for sponsorship of an H-1B visa requiring consular processing; other visa sponsorships (including H-1B visas not requiring consular processing) may be available, as appropriate.

Applicants must submit a current CV and a cover letter. The CV should include their educational background, current employment, courses taught, and any research experience. The cover letter should briefly describe the applicant’s background and interest in the program. It should identify the Princeton faculty member(s) the applicant is interested in collaborating with, the research areas of interest, and include a brief proposal outlining the general direction of the collaboration (research, pedagogy, etc.) and its relevance to the C3MR program goals. The cover letter should also briefly outline how the applicant intends to select two students for this opportunity (whether the positions are offered to students in courses taught by the applicant according to specific criteria, through a nomination process, an internal call for applications, etc.). Please provide contact information for two references who may be solicited to provide recommendation letters. Please see the PCCM website for our current research groups.

This position is primarily in person on Princeton University’s campus, with possibly up to 25% remote. This is a 9-week (June 1, 2027 - July 30, 2027) summer position.

The successful candidate must also provide an endorsement letter (template will be provided) from their home institution supporting their participation in this program. Written proof of employment must be provided by the candidate's home institution upon hire.

Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications with the PCCM Education Outreach Director before applying. To schedule a virtual meeting, email nunes@princeton.edu.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.