Job Details

Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships - UTK
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Position Number: 6054013
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research & Fellowships - UTK
United States

Job Identification: 1950
Job Category: Student Services
Posting Date: 03/05/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

Job Description
The Assistant Director (AD) for Undergraduate Research in the office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (URF) leads efforts to enhance undergraduate student engagement in research and creative activities across disciplines. This role involves managing wide-ranging programs, including (but not limited to) grants, symposia, workshops, a student research journal, student ambassadors, and professional development initiatives, to provide transformative experiential learning opportunities. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with campus partners-including faculty, departments, and students/student organizations-to promote research opportunities broadly.

The AD also supports the Director and Associate Director in the ongoing assessment and refining of existing programs and the strategic proposal and development of new ones in support of office, division, and institutional goals. Related to this responsibility is the proactive support of faculty and graduate student undergraduate research mentors. In addition, the AD will work with the Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director of Fellowships to explore and develop opportunities and techniques for collaboration across URF's functional areas -- with the principal goals of expanding and diversifying the pool of fellowships candidates and more robustly, directly, and strategically supporting diverse undergraduates seeking not only internal, but also external research funding and opportunities. The AD also supports division-wide priorities, including the Vole Edge, Vol Connect, DSS Express, and other student-facing priorities.

Responsibilities
Management and Refinement of Existing Undergraduate Research Programs

Manage semester and summer research assistantship programs, to include liaising with faculty, staff, and students, as well as external partners
Manage semester and summer undergraduate research enrichment programming
Manage multiple campus undergraduate research exhibitions, including the Summer Research Symposium, Discovery Day, and EUReCA
Manage conference travel grants program
Liaise with the Vol Edge Program to find moments of synergy in student support
Support the work of the Director and Associate Director by making substantial contributions in the areas of undergraduate research program assessment, annual reporting, identifying budget priorities, and new program proposals and development
Supervise one
URF Coach (full-time employee)

Undergraduate Student Engagement and Outreach to Encourage and Increase Student Participation in Undergraduate Research

Advise PURSUIT (undergraduate research journal) and the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URA)
Present on undergraduate research opportunities to classes, departments, offices, and student groups; at campus events and programs; and at URF-led seminars, workshops, and information sessions
Work with office leadership and division communications staff on communications planning and execution (website, social media, newsletter, promotional materials, etc.)
Integrate Vol Connect and DSS Express in student engagement initiatives

Professional Development and Engagement with Division and Campus Committees, as well as State, National, and International Organizations Focused on Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

Active engagement with Undergraduate Research Advisory Council (URAC)
Active engagement with CUR
Participation in division's various committee work and initiatives

Cross-Functional Office Collaboration and Process Improvement

Collaborate with Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director for Fellowships to develop opportunities and techniques for collaboration across URF's functional areas -- with the principal goals of expanding the pool of fellowships candidates
Support fellowships application review, interview processes, writing support, student advising, and workshops

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education: Master's degree
Experience: Experience working with diverse undergraduate researchers, faculty undergraduate research mentors, and undergraduate research programs on a university campus; Experience conducting and disseminating independent research; Experience working with faculty, staff, and offices across functional areas of a university
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Advanced knowledge of best practices in undergraduate research programming; Advanced knowledge of the populations on a university campus and the various opportunities and potential needs presented by a large, diverse student population; Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion and work effectively and professionally 1-on-1 and in groups with students, faculty, staff, and external audiences; Demonstrated ability to organize complex events on a university campus; Ability to work well and remain organized and composed under the pressure of deadlines and high-volume times of year; Public speaking skills necessary to present effectively to large and diverse audiences -- primarily students, but also faculty, staff, and external partners; Advanced skill in written communication and ability to work effectively with diverse students seeking to develop and strengthen their research/project statement-writing; Knowledge of research methods of an academic field and ability to initiate and execute independent academic research; Ability to take direction, initiate action, develop ideas into programs, and work as a collaborative team member; Ability to supervise and develop staff; Skills to leverage data and student success technologies in order to make informed, timely decisions

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Doctoral degree
Experience: Three+ years of relevant experience; Experience at the university level with academic advising, writing support, or teaching; Experience mentoring undergraduate research; Experience writing for scholarly publication and successful grant applications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of nationally competitive awards and current trends and issues in fellowships advising; Knowledge of other types of experiential learning in a higher education context, such as international education, service-learning, and internships

Work Location

Knoxville, TN

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: 10
Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $55,000
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

About Us
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state's flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates", "One of America's Best Large Employers", "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

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