Staff Roles

We are a volunteer-powered nonprofit organization. As such, we do our best to ensure that every role will enrich the career development of volunteers. In addition to high flexibility in all volunteer roles listed below and clear communication of volunteering hours (not to exceed 5hrs/week for most), we plan on providing peer-to-peer connections and other career development opportunities, whether in staff or leadership. In addition, we plan on offering the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in the coming future to all volunteers who qualify.

Volunteers

About

We are growing with aims to reach underserved populations across the country. With this in mind, we are seeking passionate mentors with research experience to support STEM education and equity in scientific training. Mentors provide the horsepower of this organization. There are multiple fronts for which we are currently accepting applications. We would be delighted to have you take part in various leadership and mentorship opportunities.


Primary Mentor

5-10 hours per week in the summer

The mentor serves as direct contact for students to develop an individualized summer project. This is a very fulfilling role: with two to three students to mentor in the summer (or more, depending on your availability), you will directly navigate mentorship for young, budding scientists! In addition, you will be able to develop a summer curriculum. While we have previously developed a program-wide curriculum, you will be able to provide feedback and edits to continually improve our teaching.

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or beyond
  • 1+ semester- or summer-long experience in neuroscience-related research (including but not limited to biology, chemistry, physics, math, computer science, and other related STEM fields)
  • Some foundational knowledge in neuroscience (e.g. neurons, basic biological concepts)
  • Passion for teaching
  • Cross-cultural humility and good interpersonal skills

Curriculum Development

3-5 hours per week

Volunteers involved in curriculum design help us develop the 6 week program that we will carry out in the summer. You will directly be involved in choosing appropriate literature materials to study, fields to discuss (based on indicated interest), and general background, technique, and scientific skills to cover. You will be involved in providing the knowledge that will encourage the next generation to pursue scientific fields! This role is perfect for anyone who wants hands-on experience in curriculum development and is interested in teaching and other lesson-planning positions. After the spring term, you are more than welcome to continue in this role and/or become a mentor! Many curriculum developers end up serving as mentors.

Available Programs

Neuroscience, Biology, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or beyond with some background in relevant program
  • Familiarity with introductory-level concepts in relevant program (e.g. if Biology: Darwinian evolution, central dogma, inheritance or organ systems)
  • Exposure to literature and confidence in how to read/interpret it
  • Ability to communicate online (slack, email, google meet, etc)
  • Great passion for STEM equity and inclusion
  • Familiarity with research and research techniques in relevant field
    • E.g. experience 1+ semester or summer internship in a research laboratory

Leadership

Administrator

5-10 hours per week, summer or yearlong

The program administrator serves to enable the growth and effective reach of this program across underserved and marginalized populations. We foresee a great need for this role as we want to expand this program to those who have the greatest need for STEM resources.

You will be responsible for leading this diversity initiative. Your role will include searching for, contacting, and understanding the community surrounding these schools to provide our program as a resource. To that end, you will work closely with these communities to identify ways that the programs can best support these needs. To support this endeavor, you will develop the resources and infrastructure, such as a program website. In addition, you will be providing support for the development of Sci-MI into a nonprofit.

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or beyond
  • Passion for diversity and inclusion in science
  • Cross-cultural humility and good interpersonal skills
  • Some past experience with administrative work and/or website development
  • Leadership skills

Director

As program director, you will be responsible for shaping the future vision and mission of this organization. In particular, Sci-MI aims to develop into a formal nonprofit organization and expand the community it serves beyond neuroscience and beyond select few high schools. Further, Sci-MI aims to expand into other fields of STEM, which requires great initiative on the part of the director. Across all of these expansion efforts, the director will support the CEO as a member in the board of advisors.

Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or beyond
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills
  • Passion for STEM equity and education
  • Long-term experience in STEM- and research-related pursuits (e.g. long-term experience working in a lab, teaching science, etc)
  • Experience with fundraising and grant writing
  • Optional: experience with nonprofits and legal supports in developing an organization