Department
 

BSD GPA - Administration

About the Department
 

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) provides support and services to all graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and fellows and non-degree visitors in the BSD.

Job Summary
 

The Director for Postdoctoral Affairs is responsible for managing postdoctoral-related activities within the BSD. Create an environment in support of postdoctoral fellows and scholars and their needs. Advocate for, market, manage, and provide overall support for postdoctoral fellows and scholar activities. Oversee general administration, funding opportunities, relevant communication and web site information and design. Involved at the national level of postdoctoral administration with active membership in the National Postdoc Association. Oversee special event planning and general forum management. Advocate and establish policy and practices affecting postdoctoral training. Work with the University of Chicago Provost's Office to facilitate appointments and reappointments.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations for the UChicago BSD Postdoctoral Affairs Office.

• Manage and maintain the budget for postdoctoral activities and symposia; provide annual budget projections.

• Supervise the appointment and re-appointment process of postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral scholars.

• Create and manage professional development opportunities for postdocs in the BSD.

• Maintain the database on current postdoctoral fellows and scholars and postdoctoral alumni for tracking. Regularly provide reports for institutional metrics and federal reporting purposes.

• Maintain established and new regular communications on campus updates, job opportunities and funding opportunities with current postdocs.

• Manage and maintain information on PDA website: http://www.bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu/ .

• Maintain the PDA seminar series ensuring topics are relevant to current needs as well as meet compliance requirements.

• Serve as a liaison, advisor, and mentor with the Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs to oversee the BSD Postdoctoral Association Steering Committee and all subcommittees.

• Maintain partnerships and collaborate effectively with other UChicago entities including UChicagoGRAD, myCHOICE, and the BSD Office of Academic Affairs.

• Create and maintain collaborations with multiple external entities including other Chicago-based universities and the National Postdoctoral Association; represent the University of Chicago at national conferences.     

• Solves problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development. Advises various campus-wide and program committees in various aspects of student life.

• 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.

• Collaborates with academic divisions in educating students on safety issues. Interprets student disciplinary issues and prepares an annual university summary of disciplinary actions. Counsels students, parents, and staff in response to concerns,

• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Life Sciences.

Experience:

• Experience with data analysis and ability to effectively communicate and present analysis.

• Experience with publications.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Licenses and Certifications:

• National Research Mentoring Certification.

​Preferred Competencies

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

• Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, postdocs and other research scientists, and various administrative offices at all levels in the University.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Analytical skills.

• 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.

• Weekend/Evening hours as needed.

• 10% of travel is required.

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
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

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.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.