Assistant Director for Research Communication

The Rector & Visitors Of The University Of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

279d • $67,500 - $77,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs seeks an Assistant Director of Research Communication to provide support for graduate and professional degree students and postdocs in the broad area of research communication. Working as part of a dynamic team within the University's PhD Plus program, the Assistant Director will support an essential component to the Office's efforts to help students and trainees build professional competencies that contribute to long-term success in a wide range of future careers. Areas of focus for the selected candidate will include providing training to graduate students and postdocs in presenting research to multiple audiences and through different modes (oral, written, graphic, digital), in fellowship and grant writing, and in communication skills required for careers in areas such as public humanities, research communication, public engagement and science policy. We seek candidates with interest and skills in research communication training in a combination of areas, including the arts and humanities. The Assistant Director will report to the Director of Career and Professional Development in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Requirements

• A master's degree is required.
• Two years of experience in career development, placement, and counseling.

Nice To Haves

• A PhD (in any field) or terminal degree at the time of appointment is preferred.
• Advising and/or counseling experience in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of the current funding landscape for graduate students and postdocs.
• Demonstrated success in grant/fellowship writing (including as a student and/or postdoc).
• Experience supporting trainees in writing applications and/or serving as a reviewer on selection panels or committees.
• Experience in the general area of research communication.
• Instructional experience, including teaching, leading workshops, etc. at the college-level.
• Development of electronic resources and communication (websites, newsletter, e-blasts, social media posts, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Enhancing and delivering workshops, collaborative training programs, and courses via PhD Plus on oral and written research communication.
• Leading training, preparation, and execution of the University's Grad Thesis Slam competition for doctoral students.
• Collaborating on research presentation training for UVA student- and postdoc-led conferences and symposia, including the University's Postdoctoral Research Symposium.
• Supporting programs in writing for diverse career paths (i.e., professional writing skills, op-ed training programs, dissertation writing support).
• Offering individual career advising appointments for students and postdocs interested in a wide range of career fields, including but not limited to faculty roles, public humanities careers, writing and communication careers, digital humanities, and more.
• Collaborating with program partners and student groups on the development and implementation of training in dissertation writing, op-eds, public-facing research communication products and related skill development.
• Developing communication components that support and complement the PhD Plus program's core modules, including future faculty, public humanities careers, research communication, and business.
• Enhancing and developing workshops and offering individual advising sessions for a wide variety of specific funding opportunities, such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Fulbright, NIH individual fellowships, AAAS fellowship, etc.
• Developing and implementing resources to facilitate and advance grant and fellowship proposal writing skills, including organizing workshop series, bootcamps, writing retreats, and more.
• Developing and executing strategies for the collection, management, and curation of data on trends in the numbers of proposals submitted and funded across the University.

Benefits

• The position is an exempt level, benefited position.
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $67,500.00 - $77,500.00 commensurate with education and experience.
• Access to existing University resources such as institutionally subscribed systems and databases including GrantForward.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Master's degree