Neuroscience Program Specialist

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Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Neuroscience Graduate Program within the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) at Michigan Medicine is looking to hire a Graduate Program Specialist. This intermediate-level position promotes student learning and development by leading academic and student services for the Neuroscience Graduate Program. The Graduate Program Specialist reports to the Graduate Program Manager.

The Neuroscience Graduate Program is one of the four interdisciplinary graduate programs housed under OGPS, which offers comprehensive resources and support services to over 1,400 doctoral, master's, and post-baccalaureate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows and the more than 500 faculty members who train learners and trainees within the medical school. With ~90 enrolled PhD students, the Neuroscience Graduate Program is a vibrant PhD-granting program that offers interdisciplinary training and incorporates the latest advances in Neuroscience. The Neuroscience Graduate Program fosters interactions among students and faculty, helping broaden students? appreciation of diverse research opportunities and encouraging interdisciplinary thinking in a highly collaborative atmosphere. Our distinctive goal is to continue providing a firm foundation in Neuroscience through the exceptional, individualized training that characterizes the Neuroscience Graduate Program.

The duties and responsibilities for this position can be categorized into five main domains, applying specialized knowledge of academic and student services.

• Leads academic affairs activities.
• Leads student affairs activities.
• Leads financial affairs activities.
• Completes special projects.
• Completes general administration tasks.

Details of these domains are included below in the responsibility section of the job description.

Responsibilities*

20% Academic Affairs Administration

Leads the activities related to the academic functions of the graduate program, such as:

• Academic activities and events such as weekly seminar series, dissertation thesis defenses, annual retreat, and symposium (in collaboration with the OGPS Event Coordinator regarding the logistics of activities and events)
• Academic advising
• Academic progress and milestone tracking
• Course and curriculum administration
• Curriculum development
• Faculty committees and meetings
• Policies and procedures regarding degree requirements
• Preliminary examinations, oral defense activities, & student annual reviews
• Works with general supervision, conferring with the supervisor on more complex matters.

20% Student Affairs Administration

Leads the activities related to the student affairs functions of the graduate program, such as:

• Student activities and special events, such as interview weekends, orientation, and social events (in collaboration with the OGPS Event Coordinator regarding the logistics of activities and events)
• Recruitment activities
• Student committees
• Rackham communication

Works with general supervision, conferring with the supervisor on more complex matters.

20% Financial Affairs, Admissions, and Summer Program Administration

Leads the activities related to the financial functions of the graduate program, such as:

• Budget monitoring and reconciliation
• Expense reports and guest/student reimbursements

Leads the activities related to the recruiting and admissions collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

• Recruiting travel
• Admissions outreach and information sessions
• Admissions application review process
• Prospective student queries

Leads the activities related to the planning and execution of the Neuroscience summer programs

• Contracting for housing and student support
• Event planning
• Budget monitoring and reconciliation

Works with general supervision, conferring with the supervisor on more complex matters.

20% Special Projects

• Responsible for the overall management, performance, and completion of ad hoc special projects related to the team's work.
• Responsible for external speaker scheduling and logistics.
• Collaborate with various team members on projects.
• Achieve professional development opportunities.
• Serve on staff committees.

20% General Administration

• Serve as a point of contact for the Graduate Program.
• Responsible for communications and correspondence with potential students/learners, current students/learners, faculty, and alumni.
• Collaborates with the Communication Specialist to review and update program-related content on the website and marketing materials.
• Monitor and update the SharePoint site.
• Complete ad hoc administrative tasks.
• Attend staff, team, and project meetings.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned related to academic and student services.

Required Qualifications*

One of the following:

• Master's degree and at least one (1) year of equivalent full-time work experience
• Bachelor's degree and at least three (3) years of equivalent full-time work experience
• Associate's Degree and at least five (5) years of equivalent full-time work experience

2+ years of full-time experience in student and academic affairs, services, administration, or similar functional areas

2+ years of full-time experience managing projects, event planning, or office management

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in Higher Education or a related field
• 3+ years of full-time experience in student and academic affairs, services, administration, or similar functional areas
• 3+ years of full-time experience managing projects, event planning, or office management

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, hybrid.

Additional Information

The anticipated starting salary range is $55,290 - $62,205. A higher salary may be offered based on qualifications, years of experience, and benchmarking with other Michigan Medicine employees with the same job title and responsibilities.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time position. The anticipated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
• This position operates on a hybrid schedule, with four days a week in the office during the academic year and flexibility offered during the summer months. The position is expected to be in the office during in-person events.

SKILLS YOU'LL HAVE

• Interested in developing a career in academic services and programming
• A knack for staying organized and planning ahead
• Strong attention to detail
• Effective prioritization skills
• Strong follow-through skills
• Takes initiative
• Problem-solve and develop solutions to challenges that arise
• Works well independently and in a team environment
• Ability to lead and motivate others
• Proficient in written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable with numbers, databases, and spreadsheets
• Passionate about supporting students and learners

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.