Career Center

JOB SUMMARY

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Connecticut seeks an Educational Program Assistant 2 or Educational Program Coordinator. This position is a full-time, 12-month position with benefits. The Program Assistant or coordinator will support a new NSF-funded RaMP (Research and Mentoring for Postbacclaureates) training program in biology, built around the theme of genomic novelty. The program is designed to offer a 1-year authentic, intensive research experience to cohorts of 10 trainees annually. The broader aim of this program is to prepare diverse trainees to enter graduate school or the STEM workforce. The program is funded through July 2026. The initial appointment to this position is for one year, with the possibility of annual renewal subject to funding and performance.

The successful applicant will provide a high level of support for the program and its leadership team.  The successful applicant will also be the internal first point of contact for all program candidates and trainees, to help guide them towards successful completion of their application and program, respectively. The successful applicant may be hired as either an Educational Program Assistant 2 (with responsibilities focused on providing administrative, programmatic and technical support to the program) or Educational Program Coordinator (with additional responsibilities for planning, development and implementation of biology-related training and professional development), depending on the applicant's qualifications and experiences.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a resource to individuals and groups on matters relating to program activities, and administrative policies and procedures.
• Assists with program recruitment that includes designing, scheduling and producing program outreach, advertising materials, website maintenance, and coordination of the application and interview process.
• Provides direct support to trainees, including assisting trainees in transitioning to UConn, developing mentoring relationships, and identifying future opportunities.
• Compiles and maintains resource materials and program information.
• Coordinates the day-to-day operation of the program, performs office management duties, and assists with the development and implementation of programming that benefits RaMP trainees.
• Supports program evaluation, including through data collection and report preparation.
• Performs related duties as required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities for the Educational Program Coordinator 

• Develops and designs training materials and delivers workshops in genomics, bioinformatics, and professional development for RaMP trainees and their mentors.
• Assists in advising trainees in developing their research skills and solving technical problems.
• Provides direct mentorship of trainees.
• Assists program leadership in application evaluation, interviews, and selection of trainees.
• Identifies and implements program enhancements in collaboration with program leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of related experience or Master's degree with one year of related experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and work collaboratively on a project team.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to assess new situations, solve problems, and adapt quickly.
• Ability to coordinate and perform administrative functions.

Additional Minimum Qualification for the Educational Program Coordinator 

• Master's degree in biology or a related field and two years of experience or Ph.D. degree in biology or a related field.
• Research experience in an area related to the scientific training goals (e.g., molecular, evolutionary, computational, or genome biology).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS or Ph.D. in biology or a related scientific field or MS degree in counseling, education, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience working with individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the biological sciences.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Skills in establishing priorities and planning work to meet both short and longer-term goals.
• Demonstrated leadership in program development.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making administrative decisions.
• Aptitude to understand and assess complex problems and take initiative in proposing solutions.
• Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.

Additional Preferred Qualifications for the Educational Coordinator 

• Experience with data analysis in an HPC environment.
• Ability to independently learn and teach protocols in molecular biology.
• Experience in teaching or mentoring in biology or a related field.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, end-dated position for one year, with the possibility of annual renewal subject to funding and performance. Salary and classification are dependent on qualifications and experience. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497466 to upload a resume and cover letter that demonstrate how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on May 31, 2023.  

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

About University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 30,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.

Connections working at University of Connecticut