The Assistant Director (AD) for Undergraduate Research in the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (OURF) 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 OURF's functional areas -- with the principal goals of expanding and diversifying the pool of fellowships candidates and more robustly, directly, and strategically supporting 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.

Required Qualifications

• Education:

  • Master’s Degree

• Experience:

  • Experience working with undergraduate research programs on a university campus, preferably in an administrative role

  • 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, varied student population

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion while working effectively 1-on-1 and in groups with students, faculty, staff, and external audiences

  • Ability to remain organized and composed under the pressure of deadlines and high-volume times of year

  • Strong communication skills, including public speaking skills (necessary to present effectively to large and varied audiences) and written communication skills (necessary to develop and strengthen student writing)

  • Ability to take direction, initiate action, develop ideas into programs, and work as a collaborative team member

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

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 students

• 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

  • Ability to supervise and develop staff

Work Location .

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: M10

• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $61,500

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• List of 3 Professional References

Management and Refinement of Undergraduate Research Programs

• Manage semester and summer research assistantship and support programs, to include assisting with the launch and refinement of a new, student-focused application process
• Liaise with faculty, staff, and students, as well as external partners to enhance undergraduate research on and off campus
• Create, refine, and lead semester and summer undergraduate research enrichment programming
• Create, refine, and teach the new undergraduate research asynchronous course for preparing new researchers
• Oversee multiple campus undergraduate research exhibitions, including the Summer Research Symposium, Discovery Day, and EUReCA
• 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 OURF Coach (full-time employee)

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

• Advise/Co-advise PURSUIT (undergraduate research journal) and the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URA)
• Supervise student employees (social media and peer ambassadors)
• Present on undergraduate research opportunities to classes, departments, offices, and student groups; at campus events and programs; and at OURF-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 OURF'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
• Advise at least one fellowship based on background and office needs

Other Duties as Assigned