Research University Alliance Program Coordinator

Company: California Institute of Technology
Location: Pasadena
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community. Job Summary The Research University Alliance Coordinator plays a central role within the nine institution National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program Research University Alliance (RUA). RUA's goal is to diversify the professoriate by supporting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented groups in the non-clinical STEM fields. Alliance members currently include Caltech, UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, the University of Washington, the University of Texas Austin, Georgia Tech, and Harvard. The RUA Program Coordinator will be an essential member of Caltech's RUA team, someone who both manages administrative elements of the RUA program, facilitates matching prospective postdoctoral scholars with faculty, and creates a vibrant and welcoming environment for current and prospective RUA graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and for current and prospective Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows, so that the RUA program creates a focal point for community, inclusion, and belonging for these participants. Primary responsibilities include: (1) connecting prospective postdoctoral fellows and faculty mentors, (2) supporting the RUA Research Exchange program, and (3) creating monthly activities for RUA and the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows program. This a 2.5 year term assignment. Job Duties The RUA Program Coordinator will: Work closely with prospective postdoctoral fellows, Caltech staff and faculty and contacts at RUA universities to support the advancement of underrepresented graduate students to the postdoctoral level within the Alliance. Serve as the initial point of contact for inquiries to the RUA postdoctoral portal from prospective postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty. Work with RUA partners to facilitate matching prospective postdoctoral scholars and potential advisors. Engage with RUA postdoc professional development and postdoc portal groups to demystify the postdoctoral scholar application process. Facilitate cross-institutional collaborative approaches for advancing underrepresented graduate students to the postdoctoral level within RUA. Support the RUA Research Exchange, arranging Caltech visits for RUA graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to learn new techniques, develop research and professional collaborations, and network with faculty and fellow researchers. Create monthly activities for the graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the RUA and Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows programs. Interact significantly with current and prospective postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, staff and faculty at Caltech and RUA universities. Administer web-based surveys, address ad hoc requests from the campus and RUA communities, write reports sections for programmatic updates. Be responsible for other duties as assigned. Basic Qualifications B.S. degree with five or more years of experience working with postdoctoral fellows or graduate students in a complex institutional research environment or equivalent. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Excellent writing and oral communications skills. Demonstrated time management and organization skills. Simultaneous ability to work as a member of a team and to work independently. Proven ability to identify critical issues and to lead an idea or project to completion. Proven track record in managing competing priorities and to work effectively under pressure when facing extremely short deadlines and multiple interruptions. Ability to convey concepts in a clear, concise and logical manner. Ability to identify problems and issues and solve them or bring them to management's attention in a timely and clear manner. Good judgment, discretion, tact and the ability to work easily with individuals at all levels across campus and partner institutions. Excellent diplomacy skills and ability to converse easily, with courtesy and clarity, with all members of the Caltech community and beyond. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion. Ability to work as a collaborative, conscientious and dependable colleague. Willingness to learn new computer systems as needs arise. Ability to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for Institute and RUA business when it is safe to do so again. Preferred Qualifications Graduate experience in the sciences. Required Documents Resume

Keywords: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena , Research University Alliance Program Coordinator, Other , Pasadena, California