Instructional Designer

Job Number: REQ_0000062979

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Join Our Team: Instructional Designer for the STAIR Program at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State University invites applications for a part-time Instructional Designer to play a pivotal role in the development and expansion of the Skilled Training in Administration and Institutional Research (STAIR) program funded through the NSF GRANTED program. This is a one-year part-time position with the possibility of another year's extension. Work can be done completely remotely or hybrid. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking initiative that aims to enhance research administration capabilities across the nation.

The Instructional Designer will lead the creation of an open-access professional development program by expanding and diversifying Penn State's successful Administrative Committee on Research (ACOR) Certification & Education Series (ACES). This expanded curriculum will be tailored to meet the training needs of research administrators (RAs) outside of Penn State, targeting in particular the early-career RAs and RAs from universities with limited opportunities for professional development available to their staff and faculty. The revised program will feature a modular structure designed to build essential skills and knowledge in research administration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research and apply pedagogical principles, learning theories, and emerging academic and technology trends in the design of instructional systems to ensure a high-quality, collaborative, and adaptable learning experience
• Develop, design, and implement a modular curriculum for the STAIR program, ensuring alignment with the STAIR program's goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, program leaders, and institutional partners to adapt and expand the ACES curriculum.
• Create engaging, interactive, and culturally responsive learning materials that could be used for synchronous or asynchronous learning.
• Assess and select instructional media, new technologies, and software systems to aid in future course delivery
• Partner with faculty and RA subject matter experts to author course objectives, course content, assignments, learning resources, documentation, and assessments
• Collaborate with faculty and RA subject matter experts to design outcomes assessment strategies; establish processes and procedures for data collection, data reduction, and data analysis
• Provide solutions on how to improve course platforms and functionality
• Evaluate and continuously improve the redeveloped learning materials based on participant feedback and learning outcomes.
• May supervise one graduate student.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in instructional design, curriculum development, and creating professional training programs.
• Expertise in e-learning platforms, instructional technology, and multimedia tools.
• A strong understanding of research administration, higher education, or related fields is highly desirable.
• Project management skills
• Commitment to creating inclusive and accessible educational materials for diverse audiences.

Preferred qualifications:

• A degree in instructional design, education, or a related field
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or other design tools
• Experience teaching in a classroom setting (at any level)
• Ability to use instructional materials and resources effectively
• Critical-thinking skills
• Concrete verbal and written communication skills

Why Join Us?

This role offers the chance to directly impact the democratization of research administration education, empowering institutions with limited resources to thrive in the competitive research landscape. As part of the STAIR team, you will collaborate with faculty and RA subject matter experts from multiple units and institutions and contribute to a program that has potential for great impact at the national level.

If you are passionate about creating innovative learning experiences and are excited to contribute to a transformative national initiative, we encourage you to apply.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

University Park, PA