Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, DA Vinci Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Education
Posted on May 17, 2024
Welcome to VCU, a world unlike any other.
We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.
Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.
The da Vinci Center for Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University is prototyping the future of education through cross-disciplinary academic, experiential, and experimental learning opportunities designed for creative thinkers and doers from a wide range of backgrounds. Recognized by Fast Company Magazine as their 2023 Innovation by Design award winner in the learning category, the da Vinci Center's human centered design approach to innovation is reimagining the role of education for a diverse range of learners. While students in our programs may come with backgrounds in design, engineering, psychology, business, and even social sciences and the arts, they all share common traits of unconventional thinking, a track record of producing highly creative work, and a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit.
This isn't business as usual. It's innovation at work. We are unlike any business school you've ever seen.
Join us. You can be unstoppable here.
Position Summary:
The da Vinci Center for Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University seeks a postdoctoral fellow to support university-wide innovation and design thinking initiatives in the Office of the Provost. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with da Vinci Center faculty, staff, and students as well as senior administrators across the enterprise to advance high impact innovation projects and catalyze institutional knowledge of innovation and design thinking.
Typical Responsibilities:
This role will utilize design thinking and service design to identify and prioritize opportunities for academic and administrative impact as well as lead projects. Responsibilities may include undergraduate and graduate teaching, development and delivery of workshops, and supervision of cross-disciplinary innovation teams.
There will be considerable opportunities for the postdoctoral fellow to participate in the development and implementation of several projects, project coordination, recruitment, data collection and analysis, scholarship, and grant writing.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in design, business, engineering, psychology, or a related field
- Familiarity with design thinking, service design, and innovation frameworks
- Strong attention to detail and project management experience
- Ability to quickly establish working relationships and trust between individuals, groups, and organizations
- An entrepreneurial spirit and comfortability with ambiguity and changing priorities
- Creative problem-solving skills, learning agility and ability to adapt to change;
- Comfort working with emerging technologies and their economic/social implications;
- Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent oral communication and community engagement skills
- Experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment or the commitment to do so as an employee at VCU.
- Certified in Lego Serious Play
- Certified facilitator of design thinking
- Experience leading cross-department change projects in higher education
- Experience in healthcare innovation
- Teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level
- A demonstrated record of conducting empirical research and working in a diverse faculty, staff and student environment
- Excellent writing skills as evidenced by publications or grant‐writing experience
Priority will be given to candidates who submit their applications by June 15th.
The postdoctoral fellowship is for a 12-month period, with the option to renew for additional years, contingent on performance and funding. The fellow will report to Dr. Garret Westlake, Associate Vice Provost for Innovation, Executive Director and Professor at the da Vinci Center for Innovation.
Explore our robust benefit package here: https://research.vcu.edu/resources/postdoctoral-services/postdoctoral-benefits/
Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, and may require some periodic weekend and evening hours. This position is in-person at the da Vinci Center in Richmond, VA.This position is eligible for a limited hybrid and flexible work schedule once training is complete and must be coordinated and approved by the supervisor of this role. Hybrid and flexible arrangements may not be possible during campus events or high student service periods.
The da Vinci Center is committed to the growth and professional development of its team members and will provide opportunities to foster a culture of learning and career development.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.
Salary Range: $55,000-60,000
Position Details
Department: School of Business - da Vinci CenterEmployment Type: PD - Post DocRestricted Status: YesFTE: 100Exemption Status: Exempt
ORP Eligible: Yes
Contact Information
Contact Name: Lloyd Young
Contact Email: youngel3@vcu.edu
