Teaching fellow research experience pre

Tufts University: University College

Location: Medford, Massachusetts

Description:

Are you a Tufts doctoral student or postdoc with a research background interested in applying your experience in a mentorship and classroom setting? Are you a teaching faculty member interested in connecting with motivated pre-college students eager to learn about research? Join University College as a Teaching Fellow in the Summer 2026 Tufts Summer Research Experience Program.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This competitive 6-week summer program introduces high-achieving high school students to the culture of research at an R1 institution. Under the guidance of a UC Teaching Fellow, students will gain exposure to real research experiences at Tufts and across Boston, complete a project in a small (5-6 students) cohort, and gain exposure to many foundational skills required to conduct primary research across disciplines. Program website to be shared shortly.

POSITION OVERVIEW

University College is seeking graduate students and post-docs with research experience to serve as Teaching Fellows within UC. Any field of research will be considered, with preference given to applicants who would be able to lead small projects using experimental/ lab-based, fieldwork/ observational, and survey design methodologies. In addition to planning and executing a research project with students, Fellows will also be required to complete a mentorship training program (6 hour) in April and May. We are seeking Teaching Fellows to lead research in the following methodologies. Please indicate your Research Methodology preference in your cover letter.

Research Methodology Options:

• Experimental/Lab-based
• Fieldwork/Observational
• Survey Design, Case Studies, Interviews
• Behavioral Experimental
• Prototyping/Iterative Design
• Creative Research & Ethnographic Methods

TIME COMMITMENT ESTIMATIONS

Program Preparation: Before programming, Fellows can expect to commit approximately 40 hours during the spring 2026 semester for pre-program preparation: they will complete a mentorship training program (8 hours), prepare the cohort research project, meet with the program lead for planning purposes, and arrange research site visits.

• Total Program Preparation: Jan 2026-June 2026 (flexible days/times, mostly remote), 40 preparation hours estimated

Programming Implementation: The Tufts Summer Research Experience will take place for 6 weeks during the summer from July 6th to August 14th, 2026, with students typically participating in their research cohort in the mornings, and full-group programming primarily in the afternoons. Fellows are required to commit approximately 25 hours per week on campus in the summer to lead their research cohorts during the program implementation.

• Program Dates: July 6th to August 14th, 2026
• Program Hours:
  • Monday-Friday
  • Approximately 25 hours/week with students in cohort
  • Please note that program implementation will be in-person on the Tufts Medford campus
• Total Program Implementation: 150 hours estimated during program dates

COMPENSATION

Fellow will be paid a total of $7,000 for all efforts required of the program, inclusive of all program preparation and program implementation.

HIGHLIGHTS

As a Fellow, you will:

• Gain valuable teaching and mentorship experience

• Develop marketable program leadership experience

• Participate in specialized training sessions around mentorship

• Connect with other Teaching Fellows across disciplines

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, prepare, and lead a small research project with a cohort of 6-8 students. Deliver all requested materials on time, including:
  • A detailed project description
  • A developed curriculum plan, including lesson plans and assignments
  • A published Canvas page to facilitate student learning Orchestrate 2-3 small group visits to a research site on campus
• Contribute to the planning and execution of research-related field trips, in collaboration with the other Fellows and the Program Lead (assisting to find potential sites, communicating information with students, etc.)
• Collaborate with team during program planning meetings to design cohesive program schedule and prepare program elements such as a student orientation, closing poster session, and workshops
• Successful completion of Mentorship Badge and all learning outcomes

Qualifications:

• Applicants should meet the following criteria:
• A current PhD student, or postdoc, or teaching faculty
• Academic or professional background in research, with the ability to design and lead a small group research project in a chosen methodology
• Experience developing research questions, completing research project. Preference given to candidates who have published research
• Ability to contribute approximately 40 hours prep work during the spring semester and 25 hours/ week availability to during programming (July 6- August 14, 2026)
• Ability to attend mentorship training sessions throughout April and May (6 hours total)
• Capacity to prepare a research project and associated pre-planning work/ site visits during the spring term
• Approval to join the program by the academic supervisor (if a current student). Eligible per any relevant union guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with a genuine interest in mentorship around research

Application Instructions:

• Please fill out the online application form by or before Monday, November 3, 2025. In the application's cover letter, be sure to indicate your preferred research methodologies you would be interested in leading.
• Starting November 3, the hiring committee will review the applications and invite selected candidates to a 30-minute Zoom meeting to further discuss their interest in the program.
• Once the selection process is completed, the decision (either positive or negative) will be promptly communicated via email to each candidate.
• The fellowship will run from January - August 2026.

For questions about the program or application process, please contact the Tufts Pre-College Programs Senior Program Administrator, Kayla Roy at [email protected] .

Apply on Handshake.