Graduate Program Specialist Biology

The Department of Biology at Boston University is seeking a Graduate Program Coordinator to support graduate student affairs and the administration of the Department's graduate programs, including the interdisciplinary Molecular and Cell Biology (MCBB) program. The Graduate Program Coordinator serves as a key resource for graduate students and prospective students, supporting the student experience from recruitment and admissions through professional development, graduation, and alumni engagement. The position works closely with faculty, graduate program leadership, university partners, and students to coordinate programs, provide guidance, and ensure that graduate program activities and records are effectively managed. 

 

Essential Functions:

 

Graduate Student Affairs 25%:

• Serve as a primary resource for graduate students regarding admissions, graduation, career advising, and program policies.
• Maintain student and alumni records.
• Coordinate professional development opportunities and communications; and co-teach the First Year Graduate Seminar in Biology.

 

Graduate Financial Aid 10%:

• Coordinate the allocation of departmental graduate student financial aid.
• Identify funding opportunities in collaboration with department leadership, the Biology Grants Specialist, external agencies, other BU departments, and the Office of Sponsored Programs. 

 

Graduate Admissions and Recruitment 30%:

• Coordinate and oversee the Biology and MCBB graduate admissions process.
• Serve as a primary contact for applicants.
• Maintain admissions databases and statistics, and plan and coordinate in-person and virtual recruitment activities, including interviews, presentations, travel, lodging, and other event logistics. 

 

Academic Administration 10%:

• Support the administration and ongoing development of graduate programs, including reviewing program requirements.
• Meeting with students regarding career planning and graduation.
• Coordinating graduate student events such as awards ceremonies, Commencement, Giving Day, and Alumni Weekend. 

 

Program Outreach and Alumni Relations 15%:

• Promote Biology's graduate programs to prospective students and external audiences.
• Represent the programs at graduate school fairs and recruitment events, provide graduate student statistics for grants and reports.
• Maintain alumni records and communications, and support ongoing engagement with Biology graduate alumni. 

 

Program Website and Communications 10%:

• Maintain and update the Biology and MCBB graduate program websites, publish news and information about graduate students and faculty.
• Maintain information about student awards and accomplishments.
• Collaborate with students and program leadership to keep online content current and useful.

 

About the Position

This position offers an opportunity to play a central role in the graduate student experience within a large and academically diverse department. The Graduate Program Coordinator will work across multiple graduate programs and collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and university partners on admissions, student support, professional development, events, communications, and alumni engagement. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as the position interacts regularly with graduate students, prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni, and university partners.

Required Skills

Requires a BA with 3+ years of relative experience.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

Required Experience