Today@Dal

Faculty of Science  

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2  

POSTING DATE: May 3, 2022  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31, 2022  

POSITION: Part-Time Academic DISP Statistics Instructor.  

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Dalhousie Integrated Science Program, Life Sciences Centre  

PAY RATE: In accordance with CUPE Collective Agreement  

PERIOD OF WORK: September 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023  

WORK ASSIGNMENT: The Instructor will be responsible for teaching statistics and data literacy components of the Integrated Science Program (SCIE 1506/1507) in the Faculty of Science. For information on the Integrated Science program, see https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/integrated-science-program.html).  The instructor will be responsible for teaching introductory statistics content (equivalent to STAT 1060) and will assist with the further integration of data literacy and statistical skills into the course curriculum. They will also assist other program faculty in the development and delivery of integrated content sessions and will provide statistical advising for student research projects.  The position is valued at the equivalent of 6 credit hours over the fall and winter, although the duties are more heavily weighted toward the fall term.  

Course delivery in fall and winter term is expected to be fully in-person, though the candidate must be prepared to switch to online delivery should it be required by health guidelines. Specific duties include:

1 – Coordinate and teach Introductory Statistics content in SCIE 1506 (Fall term): Deliver the statistics component of DISP, encompassing STAT 1060 content and additional content specific to DISP. 

• Deliver lectures (~20) and tutorials (1.5 h/week). Provide online learning resources, e.g., lecture notes and/or recordings, assigned readings and short, online pre-lecture quizzes.  

• Supervise statistics TAs; oversee marking of tutorial assignments (8-10) and tests. Update assignments as needed, to incorporate student-collected data.

• Fulfill administrative duties associated with DISP statistics component (e.g., upload grades, hold office hours).

2 – Assist with instruction of the data literacy and research skills component (Fall and Winter terms). 

The Writing in Science component of the Integrated Science Program includes scientific methodology, data literacy, and a research project, and is taught across fall and winter terms. The Statistics Instructor will be expected to 

• Provide verbal feedback to student research groups on a data-related writing assignment (Winter term, ~8 hours contact time)

• Hold weekly office hours (Winter term) to assist students in the analysis of their project data.

• Assist in developing and delivering 2 to 4 workshops on topics including research design, variable types, statistical approaches to different data types, and data visualization.

3 – Development of statistics materials for laboratories and field trips (Fall and Winter terms)

Collaborate in the design of data collection, analysis and reporting components of field trips and labs. The Statistics Instructor will work with the Biology, Earth Science and Psychology subject instructors to 

• Develop the statistical component for 3 Biology field trips in fall term (design data sheets, compile student-collected data). Duties will include participation in 2 to 4 of the field trips.  

• Develop the statistical component for 3 laboratories activities (One each for Biology, Earth Science, Psychology) in winter term (design data sheets, compile student-collected data)   

4 – Collaborative teaching and assessment (Fall and Winter term): Engage with instructors of the other subjects and work collaboratively to deliver the statistics component as part of an integrated whole. 

• Attend weekly meetings with other Integrated Science faculty.

• Provide year end feedback on the statistics curriculum of SCIE 1506 by April 30, 2023.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION: A graduate degree completed or in progress in Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline. Experience teaching university-level courses in statistics. Experience teaching R at an introductory level. Experience applying statistics to data in other disciplines is desired. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated potential for teaching excellence in Introductory Statistics. The successful candidate will be expected to uphold values of equity, diversity, and inclusion within DISP.

Applications must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact details for three references, and teaching evaluations (where applicable). All application materials must be submitted online at https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/9932. The start date for this position is September 1, 2022. Review of applications will begin May 31, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.  

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.