Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research - Office of Undergraduate Research &
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
Job Description
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 fellowship 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.
Responsibilities 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 fellowship 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 As directed by Director and Associate Director, additional responsibilities may be assigned.
Qualifications 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
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 fellowship 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
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.
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
About Us The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree‑granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work‑life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top‑tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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 fellowship 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.
Responsibilities 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 fellowship 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 As directed by Director and Associate Director, additional responsibilities may be assigned.
Qualifications 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
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 fellowship 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
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.
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
About Us The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree‑granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work‑life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top‑tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
#J-18808-Ljbffr