Department
 

BSD GPA - myCHOICE Support

About the Department
 

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) coordinates the administrative efforts of graduate and postdoctoral training in the BSD. OGPA works to facilitate consistency among the programs and departments; identifies and develops commonalities in the areas of financial administration, policy development and implementation and in the coordination of information sharing among the programs and departments. The OGPA organizes career and skill development training and ethics seminars for BSD graduate students and postdocs, provides support to the Postdoctoral Association and oversees all BSD postdoctoral events, including the Postdoctoral Symposium, orientation sessions, etc. myCHOICE is the University of Chicago's professional development program that empowers graduate students and postdoctoral scientists from STEM disciplines to reach their full professional potential and make informed decisions about their career trajectory. myCHOICE provides exposure to the vast STEM career landscape and opportunities to cultivate the skills, experience, and networks needed today to obtain top positions in academia, industry, government, and beyond. By leveraging our connections both inside and outside of the University and constantly developing new partnerships within our active alumni network, myCHOICE is able to offer a weekly ‘What Can I Do with My PhD?’ seminar series, 14+ mini-courses and workshops per year focusing on critical professional skills, such as team management, negotiation, and science communications, and hands-on/in-person experiences such as internships, externships, a Mentor Network, and career-themed treks. myCHOICE events are designed to engage trainees from the Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, and the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering.

Job Summary
 

The job provides administrative and creative support for co-curricular professional development training geared towards PhD students and postdoctoral scientists in STEM fields. Uses knowledge of graduate training experience issues to design and administer program curriculum, policies, and procedures, frequently in collaboration with other University entities or external partners. Conducts communications and outreach for these programs, liaising with all stakeholders including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, University partners, alumni network, and companies and agencies in all sectors of the workforce.

Responsibilities

• Manages the myCHOICE weekly seminar series by identifying seminar themes/topics, recruiting panel members, and moderating panel discussions.

• Manages logistical aspects of event production, including space rentals, catering, and building access; attends all in-person programming to provide general management of the event, including setting up the space, collecting catering, hosting guests, and assisting presenters as needed.

• Manages the tracking of event attendance and administers post-event surveys for seminar series, workshops, and other events, producing data for divisional presentations and annual reports, and providing attendance data to University collaborators as needed.

• In collaboration with Director, develops marketing strategy and coordinates publicity campaigns for upcoming events through direct email, electronic bulletin, website, and social media postings.

• Assists the Director in developing divisionally-tailored programming, including workshops, company site visits, and mentorship opportunities.

• Assists the Director in alumni career outcomes tracking and the sharing of this data with collaborators.

• In collaboration with campus partners and development teams, expands alumni engagement through direct outreach, publicity campaigns, and development and maintenance of the myCHOICE Mentor Database & Network.

• Assists Director in developing quarterly career-themed treks, coordinating on-site visits to companies external to the University in quarterly career-themed treks, and traveling with group of participants to the locations as needed.

• Collaborates with internal and external professionals to create new programs and enhance existing ones. Assists with evaluating the program curriculum, policies, and procedures.

• Assists with planning and implementing program marketing activities, including the development of publications and Web site.

• Gathers and analyzes data concerning program performance, and writes reports. Monitors program budgets.

• May review work of and serve as a resource to program support staff and program instructors.

• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD experience in the physical or engineering sciences.

Experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in event planning.

• Extensive familiarity with career outcomes for STEM PhDs.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Advanced-level usage of Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, and PremierePro).

• Expert-level usage of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint).

• Expertise in WordPress website development.

• Expertise in Symplicity CRM development and modification.

?Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style; excellent proofreading and editing skills.

• Comfortable and confident with cold-call outreach to prospective program volunteers and alumni.

• Resourceful, creative, and detail-oriented problem-solver.

• Comfortable work independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including individuals at all levels within an organization and potential donors, in a hybrid work environment.

• Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and perform well under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and excellent customer service skills.

• Aware of and dedicated to maintaining program and university branding and quality.

• Able to handle confidential information with utmost discretion.

Working Conditions

• Office Environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

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

Job Family
 

Academic Affairs

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
 

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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