Department
 

AI Collegium Administration

About the Department
 

The Neubauer Collegium cultivates communities of inquiry at the University of Chicago. Our faculty-led research projects bring together scholars and practitioners whose collaboration is required to address complex human challenges. Our Visiting Fellows program brings the best minds from around the world for collaboration, animating the intellectual and creative environment on campus. Our gallery presents art exhibitions in the context of academic research, and our public events invite broad engagement with the scholarly inquiries we support. The aim of these activities is to deepen knowledge about the world and our place in it.

Job Summary
 

The Associate Director for Research Initiatives (AD) reports directly to the Executive Director, and manages two of the Neubauer Collegium’s four initiatives: the faculty-led collaborative research projects and the Visiting Fellows Program. The AD also oversees an emerging priority of the Collegium, the training of undergraduate and graduate students in collaborative humanistic research. The AD supports the Faculty Director and Executive Director in their relations with the Faculty Advisory Board.

Responsible for identifying and coordinating the administrative and research project needs of 25-30 concurrent faculty research projects, working closely with over 100 faculty leaders based at the University and abroad throughout the life of a given project. The AD supports and advises the Faculty Director and Executive Director as they work with the Faculty Advisory Board throughout the funding decision-making process.

Oversees the entire complex process of appointing visiting fellows, partnering closely with the Provost’s Office and other campus partners as necessary. This includes developing and adapting optimal processes and best practices for managing academic and non-academic appointments, including drafting letters of appointment and managing the appointment process in Workday, coordinating with campus partners on related issues such as visas, and overseeing the on-boarding of fellows (15-20 visitor appointments per year on average), and including advising fellows on local housing options as well as orientating them institutionally.

Responsibilities

Oversees the annual Call for Proposals from portal submission, development of administrative strategies and work plans and pre- and post-award project management, including project budgets.Issues award letters to funding recipients; interprets and communicates policy to faculty research projects and visitors; develops periodic status reports for Neubauer Collegium leadership; coordinates and project manages research projects for the entire Collegium team; advises prospective submissions.Supports leadership to help develop customized administrative strategies for each project; develops timelines/spreadsheets and manages information/communications with faculty project leaders.Advises faculty leaders at both the pre- and post-award stage on project budgets and work plans; for continuing projects advises faculty on the process for any requested changes to the research plan and approval; manages and systematizes all documentation; and coordinates other duties associated with research project management.Works closely with the Executive Director and others to refine the Collegium’s research project reporting, including annual progress and final reports; key player in the Collegium’s annual reports to stakeholders.  Develops, implements, and improves administrative systems to accommodate a robust set of supports for international teams of collaborative researchers, and involving partnerships with multiple institutions worldwide including the University's other global centers.Manages the piloting of programs that integrate undergraduate and graduate research training into the existing faculty-led collaborative research projects at the Neubauer Collegium. Supports the Collegium leadership to manage and facilitate input from the Faculty Advisory Board; arranges for quarterly board meetings and annual proposal selection meetings which includes scheduling, preparing briefing and decision-making strategy, and tracking terms of the Board members; supports the Faculty Director to appoint new Board members.Key point person to coordinate and refine all administrative practices related to research incubation. Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

Working with budgets.Working in higher education administration or its equivalent.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Use MS 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Box) at an intermediate level.Superb organizational skills in project management.Capacity to learn the University's administrative tools as they are implemented.

Preferred Competencies

Exemplary problem solving; readily adapt to business needs and conditions as they emerge.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Consummate discretion in handling confidential materials.Expert in working as part of a collaborative team as well as working independently.Design presentations of institutional data that can inform leadership strategy.Manage full pipeline of organizational research partnerships at every stage of development.

Working Conditions

Collaborative team-based office environment.Comfortable with 3-4 periods of intensive activity annually; occasional evening and weekend work, fast-paced creative environment.Sit at a desk for 2 to 4 hours.Lift and/or move objects up to 45 lbs. on occasion.Travel around campus.Fire safety and evacuation training.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (required)References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.