Science Research Curriculum Integration Specialist

Riverdale’s Middle and Upper School Science Department seeks a visionary, practicing scientist to serve as the Science Research Curriculum Integration Specialist. 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 learning experience.

The Integration Specialist 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 Integration Specialist  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.

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 Science Research Curriculum Integration Specialist will extend the model created by Lisman Laboratories to ensure that every student engages with scientific inquiry at each stage of their academic progression. 

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