JOB SUMMARY:
(hours per weeks are estimated around 10 hours)
The Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan Medical School solicits applications from outstanding students for a Student and Postdoc Affairs assistant. This position will work closely with our professional staff and will be involved in many administrative projects.
This position is an opportunity to join an innovative team serving a talented and diverse population, primarily composed of PhD students and postdocs. Applicants: please note, do not be scared away from applying for the position simply due to the fact that our student body is composed of doctoral students. We are interested in hosting a student assistant who is excited about the administrative side of student affairs, with a vested interest in project and program management.
The specific responsibilities of this position will be based on the candidate’s experience and interest, as well as the needs of the department, and could vary from the responsibilities outlined here.
The Student and Postdoc services assistant promotes learning and development by providing administrative support to the Cell & Development Biology Graduate and Postdoc training programs. Duties and responsibilities include:
• Planning and coordinating logistics for meetings, events, and workshops.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of academic planning and student success, ensuring students' and postdocs' progress towards their degrees.
• Ensuring up-to-date documentation by regularly updating handbooks, maintaining trainee resources on the website, managing Canvas course materials, and tracking alumni.
As a student assistant with us, you will be a highly valued member of the CDB administrative team. CDB offers a supportive, dynamic, and motivating work environment. Our team consists of dedicated professionals who are innovative, collaborative, and focused on success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
20% CDB Program Event Planning
Assist with planning and coordinating all the logistics of events and activities such as recruitment weekends, career/social events, thesis defenses, annual retreat, and weekly student seminars.
• Location/site selection and reservations
• A/V arrangements for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events
• Manage registration and attendee tracking
• Coordinate catering
• Event set-up and wrap-up
• Manage inventory of promotional items
• Assist Michigan Pioneer Fellows Program Symposium planning
30% Academic Program Administration
Responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of academic planning and student success ensuring student’s progress towards their degree
• Implement course schedules and policies, including Canvas sites
• Assist course directors with teaching evaluations in Canvas and Blue
• Oversee student registration to ensure students meet course and credit requirements
• Schedule and track student dissertation committee meetings ensuring students are meeting academic milestones
• Oversee transition of program to electronic record-keeping and database management
• Track and maintain student, postdoc, and alumni databases
• Ensure up-to-date documentation by regularly updating handbooks, maintaining trainee resources on the website, and managing Canvas course materials.
WORK EXPECTATIONS:
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Enthusiasm for working both behind the scenes and in front-facing roles with students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Capability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Google applications, online research, and web-based systems.
• Availability to work 10-15 hours per week, either on-site or remotely, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm).
WORK SCHEDULE:
• This is a part-time position with 10 hours per wk
• The anticipated work schedule is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, time can be flexible.
• The position is hybrid with 1 day a week in the office, located on campus in Ann Arbor
