What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies (OURS) position at University of Massachusetts?
Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies (OURS)
Job no : 526271
Work type : Staff Full Time
Campus : UMass Amherst
Department : Learning Resource Center
Pay Grade : 26
Categories : Academic Advising & Learning Resources, Professional Staff Union (PSU), Program Administration / Management
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About the Learning Resource Center and Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) and Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS) serve as the central academic and undergraduate support unit for UMass Amherst. The LRC and OURS provides a Peer-to-Peer learning and support environment, built on the foundation of creating a welcoming and inclusive center where "Students help Students achieve Academic and Research Success". The LRC and OURS believe every student has the potential to obtain their version of success, and the role of these units is to facilitate, encourage, and engage students in helping them understand content, develop lasting strategies for learning, and engage in transformative research opportunities.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS) manages the daily operations, expansion, and growth of the program. This role includes overseeing undergraduate research education, facilitating research access, and managing a cohort of Undergraduate Research Mentors. The Assistant Director also advises students individually, develops workshops and information sessions (both virtual and in-person), and maintains the OURS website and research databases. Collaborating with campus partners, the Assistant Director works to expand undergraduate research opportunities across the University.
Essential Functions
- Provides comprehensive individualized and small-group meetings to a diverse population of students during the academic year, summer, and winter.
- Directs the content, development, implementation, management and assessment of undergraduate research support.
- Designs and implements strategies to increase student participation in research, including workshops and LMS courses, as well as events involving faculty like First Year Seminars (FYS), New Student Orientation and Transitions (NSOT), and research fairs.
- Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates OURS Research Mentors to ensure high-quality and highly responsive peer-to-peer research services.
- Maintains records of undergraduate research meetings and assists with research opportunity applications.
- Collaborates with faculty, departments, and campus partners to expand research opportunities.
- Partners with other departments and campus partners in helping students prepare competitive applications and grant proposals for research opportunities.
- Advises students one-on-one to help them secure on- and off-campus research positions
- Represents undergraduate research on College- and University-level committees and collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and campus groups.
- Manages and curates research-related content for in-person and online dissemination.
- Creates, designs, and updates content for OURS research databases and the OURS website.
- Coordinates funding distribution, and allocation for undergraduate research.
- Helps market OURS to prospective students.
- Makes purchases for departmental events.
Other Functions
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Physical Demands / Working Conditions
Work Schedule
Salary Information
Level 26
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Advertised : Jan 23 2025 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close : Apr 27 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
