Undergraduate Research Coordinator
Position overview
Position title: Undergraduate Research CoordinatorApplication Window
Open date: March 28, 2024
Next review date: Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Undergraduate Research Coordinator (URC) will have primary responsibility for coordinating undergraduate research training and professional development activities at the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP). The URC will collaborate with faculty, administrators, and community organizations to plan and implement summer and academic year programming that integrates research and education to support broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The URC will develop and implement programming that supports the academic and career success of low-income, first generation, and other underrepresented students. The URC will also oversee enhanced marketing and social media publications aligned with promoting the successes of Center participants and program goals. They will manage all programming with a high level of independence, under the general guidance of the CSEP Associate Director.
Program Implementation
- Recruit, select, and supervise undergraduate interns, undergraduate Peer Mentors, graduate student SuperMentor, and workshop/seminar/event leaders.
- Develop and implement a Peer Mentoring program.
- Supervise intern placement within laboratory research groups
- Consult with faculty and graduate student mentors to gauge intern progress, convening regular meetings of undergraduate interns and their mentors.
- Regularly communicate with research mentors, to advise and support them in developing inclusive mentoring practices.
- Provide support for interns attending conferences as part of their program.
- Organize and monitor program budgets, fiscal needs, stipend, and supply expenditures.
- Coordinate and implement programming for professional and career preparation, including community building and networking activities with the broader scientific community
- Support the Practice of Science and the Science for the Common Good courses
- Monitor program participants to track progress, identify problems and initiate interventions.
- Maintain undergraduate research program websites.
- Collaborate with the CSEP Staff to disseminate successes via website, Facebook, Twitter and public relations.
- Develop and implement a marketing and advertising plan for social media and digital platforms
Program Development
- Develop new and streamlining existing program processes
- Contribute to proposal development
- Collaborate with CSEP Evaluator to collect feedback from participants to assess program impact and improve program design.
- Report on project impacts to the CSEP Directors, as appropriate, and funding agencies.
- Build partnerships with campus organizations to innovate around common goals.
- Collaborate with local, statewide, and national organizations that support underrepresented students in STEM.
Current CSEP Undergraduate Research Training and Professional Development Programs
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program: The goal of MARC is "to assist undergraduate institutions to increase the number of well-prepared underrepresented (UR) students who, within three years of graduation, matriculate into competitive/research active Ph.D. or combined M.D.-Ph.D. programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences". MARC Scholars (4-6 each year) embark on a two-year program of scientific research, leadership development and graduate school preparation guided by UCSB and other institution faculty and CSEP staff. Scholars begin by taking the Spring quarter class, Practice of Science (Phys 16/198) which prepares them for the 10-week full-time first summer research experience. Their second summer research experience is conducted extramurally at another institution of their choosing. The academic year portion of their program includes continued professional, scientific and leadership development through a series of opportunities and milestones including, conference attendance, Individual Development Plan monitoring, a second year “Science for the Common Good” (MCDB 194KF) class and multiple opportunities for peer mentoring. The MARC program provides scholars with partial tuition/fees and stipends for their tenure in the program.
Beckman Scholars Program: Funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the Beckman Scholars Program seeks to foster the next generation of creative thinkers. Scholars embark on a 15-month program designed to enrich their development as students and scientists through innovative research, mentoring, collaboration and practice in effective communication. The selected Scholars participate in two 10-week summer programs and an intervening academic year program that includes specific courses. With the goal of honing their communication skills, a writing course focused on graduate school applications and research manuscript preparation; professional development workshops and career planning; research seminars; symposia and colloquia are offered in summer. The academic year programming includes the “The Practice of Science” (Phys 16/198) and “Science for the Common Good” (MCDB194KF) courses, as well as opportunities for peer mentoring. The scholar-centric program focuses on developing leaders in science, and thus serves as a model for innovation in undergraduate education at UCSB. The Beckman Scholars program provides scholars with financial support for travel and supplies, along with stipends for their tenure in the program.
Early Undergraduate Research and Knowledge Acquisition (EUREKA): To nurture enthusiasm for research and interaction with faculty, the SIMS program expanded in 2006 to include opportunities for freshman research experiences through the SIMS Early Undergraduate Research Experience and Knowledge Acquisition (EUREKA) program. EUREKA interns enroll in the Practice of Science, a Spring quarter course hosted by the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP). The course provides an overview of the scientific process and exposure to various career paths in STEM while helping students develop scientific communication skills and the creative thinking needed for success as a scientist or engineer. Interns then embark on an 8-week summer research experience with a faculty advisor and lab mentor, and further develop science communication skills and an identity as a research scholar. Together with additional support from complementary initiatives, the program provides a supportive network that aids in the retention and future success of our students.
SACNAS Scholars Program: The mission of the SACNAS Scholars Program is to train the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. SACNAS Scholars will have the opportunity to engage in both hands-on research training in a UCSB STEM faculty lab during an 8-week intensive summer program, and academic year leadership development. Scholars also receive funding and support for professional development or training that will inform and prepare Scholars for post-graduation career opportunities or advanced academic pursuits.
Summer Institute in Mathematics and Science (SIMS): The SIMS program brings science, engineering, and mathematics incoming freshmen to the UC Santa Barbara campus for a three-week science intensive residential program for a hands-on experience in a dynamic research environment. The students chosen for the program work with graduate student researchers in UCSB science and engineering laboratories, gaining first-hand experience in how scientific research is conducted. They also gain experience in preparing and presenting talks to disseminate their research findings and network with science, engineering, and mathematics researchers and industry professionals through social, academic, and professional development activities. The program includes academic year professional development and academic support.
The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service as appropriate to the position.
Department: https://csep.cnsi.ucsb.edu/
Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, science, engineering, or mathematics
- Familiar with current literature on best practices and experience supporting and developing programming for low-income and first-generation college students in STSEM.
- Experience developing and implementing training and mentorship to Undergraduate Peer Mentors.
- Broad knowledge of UCSB divisions, offices, and departments, and university personnel and procedures appropriate to a varied range of activities and coordination
- Ability to communicate with faculty, staff, funding agencies, professional and public audiences.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to appropriately prioritize competing tasks without com-promising quality of work.
- Ability to work as a member of a team as well as independently to execute priorities in a self-directed manner.
- Experience developing and implementing a marketing and advertising plan for social media and digital platforms
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Computer skills and graphics expertise necessary to compile and develop technical reports.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
- 3 required (contact information only)
Applicants are required to provide names and contact information of 3 references. In the event that an applicant is selected as the finalist, the department will conduct a reference check before extending an offer of employment.
Help contact: nau@research.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.