Program Support Specialist, Institute of Biotechnology

   

About the Institute of Biotechnology

The Institute of Biotechnology is a dynamic hub for life sciences research at Cornell University. The Institute offers cutting edge biotechnologies, expertise in applications, technology testing and development and consultation for life sciences researchers at Cornell University and outside institutions. The Institute houses the Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC), which offers shared core facilities for life sciences research, and is involved with many intercampus initiatives and multi-institutional collaborations. The BRC includes core facility operations in Genomics, Bioinformatics, Imaging, Flow Cytometry, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Epigenomics, Genomics Innovation, and Transcriptional Regulation and Expression. The Institute also administers the Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) in the Life Sciences to assist life science researchers in the development of biotechnologies with commercial potential in partnership with New York State industries and New York State Empire State Development/NYSTAR. The Institute also provides administrative services for the Buckler Maize Genetics  Lab, Breeding Insight program, and the Center for Life Sciences Ventures (CLSV). With its extensive network of academic, federal, not‐for‐profit enterprises and commercial partners, the BRC serves as a vital partner in life sciences research and innovation.

Learn more about the Institute of Biotechnology here: http://www.biotech.cornell.edu

About Breeding Insight and The Buckler Lab

Breeding Insight (BI) at Cornell University, backed by the USDA-ARS, is a pioneering public-sector initiative utilizing genomic data for the breeding of specialty crops and animals. It aims to improve public breeding programs by developing systems for managing breeding and genomic data, thereby accelerating genetic advancements. BI collaborates with various USDA-ARS breeding teams, providing expertise in IT, genomics, phenomics, and breeding processes. The project's annual budget exceeds $4 million, funded by multiple sources. Learn more about Breeding Insight here: https://breedinginsight.org/

The Buckler Maize Genetics Lab is a genetics lab involved in plant genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics with numerous national and international collaborations and efforts. Their research is driven by three core questions: How can we use genetics to make agriculture more efficient and share those efficiencies globally? How can we reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment? How does genetic variation give rise to phenotypic variation? Learn more about The Buckler Lab here: https://www.biotech.cornell.edu/affiliated-programs/buckler-lab

The Opportunity

The Cornell Institute of Biotechnology is seeking a dedicated Program Support Specialist to play a pivotal role in the operations of two exciting USDA-funded research initiatives under the Institute’s program umbrella—Breeding Insight (BI) and the Buckler Lab. This position offers a unique blend of administrative support, project coordination, and digital content management, making it an ideal opportunity for someone passionate about ensuring the smooth functioning of high-impact research programs.

This is a full-time (39 hours per week) 3-year term appointment with the possibility of extension contingent on continued funding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Travel Coordination: Manage complex travel arrangements for BI and Buckler Lab teams, ensuring compliance with Cornell and USDA policies. Process travel advances and reimbursement.
• Meeting and Scheduling Coordination: Facilitate effective communication across hybrid teams by coordinating meetings and schedules across multiple time zones. Meetings will range between virtual and in-person, and this position will take meeting minutes for some meetings.
• Procurement: Oversee the purchasing of essential supplies and equipment, for both office and lab use, engaging with vendors and managing approvals.
• Event and Visitor Support: Organize impactful workshops and training sessions, hosted onsite or at other national locations, providing comprehensive logistical support. This includes but is not limited to securing the event space, coordinating catering, and A/V needs.
• Website and Digital Content: Using a Content Management System, provide minor updates to website content such as updating lists of employees and research initiatives.
• Financial and Administrative Oversight: Assist with financial tracking and provide administrative support for various projects. Update and maintain CVs, current and pending sponsored support reports, and similar documents for key personnel. Update and maintain list and abstracts of Buckler lab publications.

Success Factors:

• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently.
• Effective communication skills, diplomacy, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse, hybrid team.
• Collaborative mindset and readiness to jump in to support colleagues.
• Proactive and resourceful approach, taking initiative to find information required to take appropriate action using sound judgement.

If you are a highly organized and efficient administrative professional looking for an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking biotechnology research, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter. We look forward to discovering how your expertise and passion align with the goals of the Breeding Insight and Buckler Lab programs.

What We Need

All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate’s degree and 2-4 years of relevant professional experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Individual must show initiative, anticipate needs, and take action when appropriate.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a hybrid (remote and in-person) team are necessary. Must be approachable and accessible to others.
• Computer skills and working knowledge of software programs such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, Zoom, OneNote, Box, and Slack.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both individually and cooperatively as a team player and successfully interact with individuals from many parts of the world. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage, organize, and operate routine and non-routine duties independently or with minimal oversight.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Proficiency in Cornell University systems, particularly travel, procurement.
• Experience with budgetary constraints on sponsored funds preferred.
• Working knowledge of web content management systems such as Wix and WordPress.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. New employees are expected to work fully onsite during the 6-month training and onboarding period. After the training period, employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke, or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay .
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards .
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

   

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

  

University Job Title:

Administrative Asst IV

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

D

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$24.78 - $28.80

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid Remote

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Brad Stock

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-02-28