Microbiome Center Administrator

Department
 

BSD E&E - Executive Administrator

About the Department
 

The Microbiome Center is an intellectual home for researchers across the University of Chicago, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory, with a primary goal to advance understanding of the identity and function of microbes in myriad environments. The Microbiome Center supports the scientists who are investigating fundamental questions and developing new applications and tools to understand and harness the capabilities of microbial systems across fields. The Center supports a dynamic research community, enables rapid translation of research to clinical and private sectors, and trains a new generation of multidisciplinary scientists. The Center is focused on microbial systems biology, with the aim of providing multi-contextual insight into microbial function and its impact on ecosystem operation. The Microbiome Center collaborates with relevant departments and units across UChicago, Argonne, and the MBL.

Job Summary
 

Research administration in a university setting. Provides support to the co-directors of the Center and coordinates collaborative research and other activities across the university, Marine Biological Laboratory, and Argonne National Lab. Serves as a point of contact for those interested in microbiome research including faculty, students, outside researchers, funders, media contacts, industry representatives, and other partners. Organizes and executes plans for Center sponsored events or special projects. Determines the appropriate venue, hires and negotiates with caterers and other vendors, and arranges logistics for speakers, etc. Executes all components of plans for putting on events for the Center in consultation with the co-directors. Produces marketing pieces to promote Center initiatives and attends related events. Monitors finances for the Center. Authorizes and ensures that all expenses are paid. Provides the director with regular updates and ensures that spending limits are adhered to and are within budget. Plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view. Science communication is accomplished through various outlets including: written communications; monthly newsletter, social media; visual/graphic media; and personal contact. Develops and maintains the Center's website.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with co Directors of the Center as well as faculty, researchers, students, and other leaders across the three institutions and within relevant research fields to foster experimentation and multi-disciplinary inquiry and teaching within the Centers.

• Develops and manages program activities such as research projects, workshops, conferences, colloquia, training programs at both the University and MBL.

• Plans and facilitates research projects, visits and meetings that further scientific, fundraising and partnering goals.

• Stays current with microbiome related research and initiatives across the three institutions.

• Project manages, writes, and edits collaborative projects and grant proposals. Implements a process for overseeing seed grants.

• Develops and maintains Center budget.

• Schedules meetings for Center business (steering committee, working groups, planning meetings, workshops, etc.). Manages event planning operations including space, catering, registration, and materials.

• Provides targeted administrative support for faculty directors, including fundraising.

• Works with faculty and steering committee to develop financial model for sustainability including diversified funding sources.

• Oversees contracted services such as IT, graphic design, video, events.

• Disseminates relevant information internally and externally including relevant research, activities, events, programs, and opportunities.

• Oversees a communication strategy and marketing efforts aimed at increasing the visibility of the Center, creates content including website text, short stories, presentations, and blog posts to highlight microbiome research.

• Serves as point of contact for internal and external microbiome-interested people. Maintains an informative and integrative presence of microbiome research at the three institutions through maintenance of website and social media platforms.

• Manages development of print and electronic resources, newsletter, presentation materials, outreach efforts and a strong brand for the Center.

• Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.

• Analyzes program budgets and uses a moderate/high level of authority to recommend or makes budgetary recommendations.

• 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 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience with the conduct of related research.

• Experience with communications and marketing.

• Experience with fundraising.

• Familiarity with microbiome science or processes of scientific research.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated proficiency with working in collaborative team environment.

• Proactive ability.

• Problem solving ability.

• Attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines.

• Familiarity with general business practices.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

• Willingness to travel domestically, particularly to the partner institution, the MBL.

• Ability to prioritize and manage a workload, which balances long-range planning with unanticipated daily demands of managing a busy operation.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

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

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

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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