PhD Programme in Science Education – 2008

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION
TATA INSTITUTE OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH
(A Deemed university)

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PhD Programme in Science Education – 2008

HBCSE is a National Centre of TIFR devoted to research and development in science, technology and mathematics education from primary school to college level. It is India’s nodal centre for Olympiads in mathematics, science and astronomy. The Centre is looking for competent and committed individuals as Research Scholars for its PhD programme in Science Education for the year 2008.

Areas of Research
· Cognitive and pedagogic studies of science, mathematics and technology education.
· Socio- cultural and gender studies in science, mathematics and technology education.
· Visuospatial thinking in science, mathematics and technology education.
· Knowledge organization
· Curricular issues, assessment and evaluation
· Environment education
· Educational implications of history and philosophy of science

Eligibility:
Recent MSc in any of the Physical/Chemical/Biological/Earth sciences or Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Science may apply. Final year MSc students may also apply. Applicants must have a consistently good academic record and a strong interest in research in science education.

Financial Assistance:
· Monthly Scholarship of Rs. 12000/- enhanced to Rs. 14000/- after registration for PhD.
· A Contingency Grant of Rs. 15000/- and a tuition grant of Rs. 4000/- per annum.

Admissions are made for one year at a time, renewable annually up to a period of 5 years.

Accommodation may be provided on campus at nominal cost. After completion of PhD outstanding candidates have a chance to be considered for absorption into the regular academic stream of HBCSE (TIFR).

For application forms write, enclosing a 25.5 cm x 15.5 cm self-addressed envelope with stamps worth Rs. 10/- to

Administrative Officer, Homi Bhabha Centre For Science Education, TIFR, V.N. Purav Marg. Mankhurd, Mumbai 400 088.

The last date for receiving application form requests by post is April 1, 2008.

Alternatively, Click here to download the form.

Completed forms should be sent by post latest by April 15, 2008 along with two passport size photographs (one pasted and one stapled) and a Demand Draft for Rs. 350/- (non-refundable) payable at Mumbai in favour of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.

A written test will be held for applicants on May 25, 2008 at the following 6 centres: Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Kolkata. Those who qualify in the test will be called for an interview in the 3rd week of June, 2008.

Important Dates: Application deadline: April 15, 2008.

Written Test: May 25, 2008.

Interview: 3rd week of June 2008.

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION
TATA INSTITUTE OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

Visiting Fellowships at HBCSE

HBCSE is a National Centre of TIFR devoted to science and mathematics education from primary up to introductory college level. The Centre is looking for competent and committed scientists and communicators holding a Ph.D. degree to contribute to its programmes.

1. RESEARCH IN SCIENCE,MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
HBCSE is pioneering research in this new and rapidly expanding field. We are looking for eclectic intellectuals with Ph.D. in the natural or social sciences or mathematics who would take up research programs in the following interdisciplinary areas.
Cognitive and pedagogic studies of science, mathematics and technology education.
Sociocultural and gender studies in science, mathematics and technology education.
Knowledge organization
Imagery and reasoning; Drawings, design, and cognition
Curricular issues, assessment and evaluation
Health and environment education
Educational implications of history and philosophy of science.

2. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
HBCSE is developing model alternative curricula for school science, mathematics and social studies. Candidates should have originality and insight into their subject with a flair for teaching and writing. We welcome persons with literary and computer skills or visual communication talents in addition to a strong subject background.

3. SCIENCE POPULARISATION
HBCSE is producing activity and exhibition modules in several areas, including history of science, low-cost experimentation, science-technology-society issues, gender issues, health education, mathematics and astronomy. Candidates should have an ability to present science and mathematics in interesting and innovative ways. Literary, artistic and visual communication ability would be an added advantage. The Centre also organises orientation programs for teachers, students and teacher educators to which the candidates are expected to contribute.

4. OLYMPIAD PROGRAMME
HBCSE is India's nodal centre for the physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and astronomy olympiads. We need Ph.D.s in these subjects who have strong problem-solving ability. They would develop challenging theoretical problems and experiments, and train meritorious students at senior secondary levels for the international olympiads.

5.TEACHER ORIENTATION AND SCIENCE POPULARISATION
HBCSE is extensively involved in teacher orientation programmes at vaious levels (primary, secondary and tertiary), and in general dissemination of science. The Centre is looking for scientists/educationists with a strong background, comunication skills and motivation to work at the grass-root level.

6. NATIONAL INITIATIVE ON UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE (NIUS)
The Centre has initiated a major programme of nurturing talented undergraduates for advanced studies and research in the sciences. NIUS is being carried out in collaboration with scientists of TIFR, BARC and other institutions. They are looling for scientists with a strong research background and interest in undergraduate education for contributing to the programme.

The preferred age is below 35 years, relaxable for deserving candidates. Please apply enclosing your biodata and including the following specific details:

Date of birth
Academic record up to Master's degree
One-page description of Ph.D. Work
Awards and scholarships
List of publications (with a brief note on the most significant publications)
Experience in teaching and science popularisation
Names of two referees
A comment on the state of science education in the country and suggested improvements (about 250 words)
A proposal for the project that you would like to take up at HBCSE (about 250 words)

Selected candidates will be offered a Visiting Fellowship initially for one year, extendable by one more year. The Fellowship carries an honorarium of Rs. 10,000/- p.m for candidates who have just submitted the thesis (for candidates with experience the honorarium may be Rs. 12,000/- p.m. or Rs. 14,000/- p.m as appropriate). At the end of the Fellowship outstanding candidates have a chance to be considered for absorption in the regular academic cadre of HBCSE.

Applications will be received and screened throughout the year and referees will be contracted for recommendations. Shortlisted candidates will be called for a seminar/interview at HBCSE.

Please send a hard copy of your application to
Prof. Arvind Kumar
Centre Director
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR
V. N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai 400 088.
Tel. Nos. 2558 0036, 2556 2132, 2555 4712
Email: vf@hbcse.tifr.res.in