Coordinator of Science Research Integration (2026-27)

The Bronx · BronxFull Timemid

OtherCoordinator

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Requirements Summary

In collaboration with the Director of Science Research, audit the existing 6-12 science curriculum to identify and design "entry points" for authentic research,

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OtherCoordinator

Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses. This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color.

We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school community.

Position Overview

Riverdale’s Middle and Upper School Science Department seeks a visionary, practicing scientist to serve as the Coordinator of Science Research Integration. This is a newly created leadership role designed for a Ph.D.-level researcher who is passionate about translating professional scientific inquiry into the secondary school experience.

The Coordinator will support the Director of Science Research and the Science Department Chair to integrate research skills throughout the Grade 6-12 science curriculum, working to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world discovery through a cohesive progression of skills, concepts, and content acquisition. The Coordinator will assist in developing a Science curriculum that prepares students to critically evaluate scientific claims encountered in media, civic, and personal contexts, while cultivating transferable inquiry skills such as asking productive questions, interpreting ambiguous information, and revising thinking in response to new evidence.

Riverdale’s Commitment to Science Research

For over 25 years, Riverdale’s Lisman Laboratories Science Research Program has redefined what is possible in secondary science education by placing high school students at the center of authentic, college-level research. Through faculty mentorship and deep, sustained collaborations with university laboratories and professional scientists, students design experiments, generate and analyze large genomic datasets, apply for external research funding, and publish peer-reviewed articles. This innovative model bridges high school education and experiential, place-based learning with meaningful scientific research, cultivating a culture where ingenuity, collaboration, and the creation of new knowledge drive both teaching and learning. The Coordinator of Science Research Integration will extend the model created by Lisman Laboratories to ensure that every student engages with scientific inquiry at each stage of their academic progression.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a scientist who finds as much joy in a student’s "lightbulb moment" as you do in a published paper. You are capable of looking at a traditional syllabus and seeing hidden opportunities for discovery. You possess the disposition, empathy, and desire to mentor novice learners, and the interpersonal skills to collaborate productively with a large and diverse faculty.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

Research Scaffolding: In collaboration with the Director of Science Research, audit the existing 6-12 science curriculum to identify and design "entry points" for authentic research, translating complex lab protocols into age-appropriate, modular learning experiences.

Instruction: Teach one to two sections of science coursework, modeling inquiry-based pedagogy that prioritizes the process of discovery over rote memorization.

Faculty Collaboration: Partner with teaching faculty to co-design and co-teach research units, providing the technical expertise needed to "level up" standard classroom experiments.

Summer Research: Lead a signature summer research intensive that allows students to dive deep into longer-term projects.

External Network: Leverage professional connections to strengthen and expand student internships and collaborative opportunities with research institutions and consortiums.

Grant Leadership: Mentor students in the technical art of grant writing, guiding them to apply for external funding.

Symposium Oversight: Direct the annual Science Research Symposium, transforming it into a premier showcase of student intellectual contributions.

Facility Strategy: Facilitate communication to determine short-term equipment needs and long-term facility/space upgrades required to sustain a high-level research culture.

Resource Curation: Maintain a centralized database of summer research and internship opportunities for the school community.

Ph.D. in a scientific discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, or related field).

Demonstrated Research Track Record: Experience in grant-funded research and a history of peer-reviewed publications.

Scientific Translation: The ability to simplify complex professional workflows without losing scientific integrity.

Instructional Design: Ability to create educational content or "scaffold" technical tasks for non-experts.

Influence & Diplomacy: Strong "influence-without-authority" skills; the ability to work collegially with faculty to implement change.

Project Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage the logistics of a symposium, grant deadlines, and lab budgets.

Commitment to Youth: A genuine excitement for working with Middle and Upper School students and an enduring belief in their capacity for high-level inquiry.

Intellectual Agility: Demonstrates the flexibility to thrive in a new and evolving role, the curiosity to continually explore new pedagogical and scientific frontiers, and the inventiveness to meet challenges creatively and contextually.

DEIB Leadership: A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that the path to scientific research is accessible to all students.

Experience in mentorship (high school, undergraduate, or graduate level).

Experience with interdisciplinary teaching/learning (e.g., connecting Environmental Science with Ethics or Data Science).

Familiarity with lab safety management and research budgeting.

Experience with molecular ecology, genomics, conservation biology, and field-based research (e.g., sample collection, field instrumentation and sensor deployment, and specimen handling).