Graduate Education Administrator

Department
 

BSD GPA - Biomedical Cluster

About the Department
 

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) coordinates the administrative efforts of graduate and postdoctoral training in the BSD. OGPA works to facilitate consistency among the programs and departments; identifies and develops commonalities in the areas of financial administration, policy development and implementation and in the coordination of information sharing among the programs and departments. The goal of OGPA is to recruit high quality domestic and international trainees, to facilitate their progress during their tenure, and to provide guidance and resources for the management of the training programs in the division. OGPA centrally manages the annual financial aid budget so that all graduate students in the programs are supported equitably and coordinates consistency among the training programs as it relates to training grants submission and oversight. In addition, OGPA facilitates postdoctoral appointments and reappointments with the Office of Academic Affairs, establishes and enforces policy with the Provost's Office, acts as a resource for postdocs, faculty and staff on postdoctoral policy and benefits questions and manages the postdoc database. The OGPA organizes career and skill development training and ethics seminars for BSD graduate students and postdocs, provides support to the Postdoctoral Association and oversees all BSD postdoctoral events, including the Postdoctoral Symposium, orientation sessions, etc.

Job Summary
 

The job administers programs in student affairs activities, including orientation and onboarding programs for incoming students. Acts as the primary point of contact for student inquiries. Uses a moderate/high level of understanding in student affairs to develop future enrollment strategies using admissions and financial aid data.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Director for Graduate Education to monitor the day-to-day operations of assigned graduate program(s) and addresses student concerns as they develop.

• Tracks student progress using university systems and processes.

• Maintains the website(s) for assigned graduate program(s).

• Supports effort on new, competing renewal and annual progress reports for training grants.

• Tracks the outcomes and career trajectory of program alumni.

• Coordinates with the Director for Graduate Education on a communication plan for recruitment and outreach in both print and electronic formats.

• Reports annual funding projections and final or updated funding sources to the Director for Graduate Education.

• Works with faculty leadership on academic policies and curriculum requirements, program admission decisions, and events.

• Maintains records of faculty membership in assigned graduate program(s).

• Manages special events for the graduate program(s), such as the annual admissions weekends, new student orientation, the annual retreat, periodic student talks, program seminar series, or large-scale symposia.

• Solves problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development.

• Recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced Degree in the Life Sciences.

Experience:

• 2 years administrative experience in student affairs administration.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to multi-task on frequent and constantly changing demands.

• Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels in the University.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to resolve problems.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• Writing sample (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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