Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences and Biochemistry, Undergraduate Program Coordinator

University of Pennsylvania•Irvine, CA

21d•$22 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Roy & Diana Vagelos Scholars Program in the Molecular Life Sciences (Vagelos MLS) prepares an ambitious cohort undergraduates for careers at the frontiers of science. The program emphasizes developing fundamental knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, and physics in the first two undergraduate years. Subsequently, Scholars specialize in their chosen areas of science. Vagelos MLS Scholars pursue mentored research with research groups on or near the University of Pennsylvania campus. So that they can focus full time on the research, Scholars receive a stipend during the summers after the second and third years. Students gain firsthand experience with the fundamentals of research at the scientific frontier. Scholars explore academic interests via course work, complete requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, and continue with the research effort. Students are positioned to thrive in the best graduate and biomedical programs upon completing the Vagelos MLS Program and go on to careers at the forefront of their respective fields. Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary major in the college, with support from the Department of Chemistry. Students learn that life processes can be understood in terms of concepts from math, physics and chemistry. The specificity and diversity of biological molecules, organisms, and ecosystems have their origins in chemistry and physics. Students learn that experimental observations and findings have limitations depending on the methods used for collecting and analyzing data. Students gain knowledge of the elements of mathematics and physical science necessary to design and interpret experimental and computational studies. A distinctive feature of the undergraduate Biochemistry program is a minimum of one year of mentored research (2 course units of BCHE 4597) in the final year. Host groups can be any one of the approximately 1000 independent basic and applied science research laboratories on or adjacent to the Penn campus. During this research participation, Biochemistry majors apply their knowledge toward scientific investigations while becoming familiar with scientific careers, including the progression from undergraduate to independent scientific investigator.

Requirements

High School Grad/GE Degree and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Ability to lead/participate in occasional evening or weekend events is required.
Candidates should have excellent writing and editorial skills.
Candidates must have facility with standard office software and learn specialized software as needed, such as that for webpage maintenance.

Nice To Haves

Familiar with the culture of academic scientific research
Experience with administrative aspects of undergraduate programs.
Previous experience with UPenn’s administrative systems and experience partnering with various campus resource centers and advising systems preferred.
Undergraduate degrees in natural science
Experience with higher education.

Responsibilities

Implement administrative aspects for the Vagelos MLS program.
Work with the Associate Director and faculty co-directors on the development and implementation of program events with the Vagelos MLS student board (VSB).
Provide administrative support for students enrolled in the Vagelos MLS program and coordinate advising with the Faculty Directors.
Manage administrative aspects of summer research experiences for Vagelos MLS Scholars and the academic year research of Biochemistry majors, including correspondence with faculty hosts and students.
Manage administrative pipeline for Associate director and co-directors and both programs (Biochemistry and MLS).
Serve as communication link between the Biochemistry program and the University.
Participate in recruitment and admissions with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial Services.
Assist the Associate director in activities relevant to the recruitment of incoming students
Assist the Associate director in organizing Biochemistry social events (e.g., Biochemistry poster session, major exploration events, and other social events for current majors)
Assist in maintenance of the Vagelos MLS and the Biochemistry websites and in production of relevant publications (e.g., biweekly newsletters or annual reports)
Maintain databases (e.g., via Excel or similar software) for Vagelos MLS program participants and Biochemistry majors (e.g., their majors, minors, host research groups, awards & honors, publications, and post-Penn academic activities).
Create, coordinate, and publicize program and information services for Biochemistry majors and Vagelos MLS Scholars, including e-mail list serves.
Assist the Associate director, Biochemistry undergraduate student hosts, and faculty in organizing Biochemistry seminars, preparing the speakers' schedule, arranging hotel, and coordinating different funding sources (e.g., Chemistry Department seminar funding and Student Allocations Commission).
Assist as needed with administrative tasks in the Chemistry Department as assigned by the Chemistry Associate Director

Benefits

Excellent healthcare
Tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
A wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
A wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental)
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to University resources, cultural and recreational activities
Discounts and Special Services
Flexible Work Hours
Penn Home Ownership Services
Adoption Assistance