Project Director Center for CUGR at University of the District of Columbia

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public

Employment Status: Full-Time, Temporary

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/6

Salary Range: $65,849- $78,684

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The University of the District of Columbia aims to expand the number and variety of research experiences for its undergraduate students. This position will lead to that expansion, building on the extraordinary emerging research strengths of the University. The new Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) will facilitate discovery, inquiry, and creativity-based research experiences for undergraduate students in collaboration with faculty researchers. The Center will work with Colleges/Schools and other campus partners to publicize opportunities and promote student research; provide guidance and mentorship to students interested in engaging in research and faculty interested in mentoring undergraduates; work to pair student researchers with faculty mentors across campus; assess grant applications and provide funding to successful applicants; organize and run two undergraduate research symposia each year as well as other events that showcase undergraduate research; promote and fund off-campus research presentations; coordinate summer research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) on campus; and regularly assess the work of the Center for continuous improvement. This is a 100% grant-funded (through 2028) administrative position reporting to the Chief Academic Officer (or his designee).

The Director will be a creative thinker, visionary, and network builder who, working with partners across campus, will lead the CUGR initiative to integrate undergraduate research more intentionally at UDC with a focus on interdisciplinarity, scaffolded experiences, connections with industry and community, flexibility and accessibility to provide every UDC student equal access and motivation to complete a mentored research experience.

Likewise, the Director will coordinate our current efforts, in close collaboration with the Office of University Research (OUR) and the Center for Urban Research, Engagement and Scholarship (CURES), to become the nexus of campus information about undergraduate research opportunities in all UDC Colleges/Schools, connecting students and faculty for research and creative projects from across campus. The Director oversees and facilitates the work of the CUGR and the Firebird Scholars (paid Undergraduate Research Ambassadors) to promote, coordinate, support, publicize and celebrate student research opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Office of the Chief Academic Officer, launch the new Center for Undergraduate Research and implement its strategic framework.
• In conjunction with the Assistant Dean & Director of General Education, the Office of Career Services, and other campus constituencies, execute the strategic framework for CUGR, which looks to create student research partnerships/internships with local and regional industry as well as engage industry partners and alumni researchers in mentoring current students, participating in symposia, etc.
• Engage all students in undergraduate research intentionally on historically underrepresented domestic groups and first-generation students.
• Report regularly to and assist in coordinating research activities and initiatives with the Office of the Academic Officer.
• Work with the Vice President of University Research to raise the visibility of undergraduate research opportunities on campus and in the community through presentations to students, faculty, and other groups.
• Connect each College/School and its students to the CUGR through annual events such as symposia, professional development for nationally competitive fellowships, grant workshops, and Research week events.
• Create research workshops for faculty mentors and undergraduates and help deepen our pool of faculty mentors.
• Administer student grant competitions.
• Represent UDC at undergraduate research groups and conferences (CUR).
• Create and maintain campus-wide undergraduate research inventory.
• Complete annual assessments and annual reports.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Requires a master's degree from an accredited university; Ph.D. strongly preferred.
• Three years of college-level teaching/active research agenda in any academic field.
• Mentoring undergraduates in research.
• Administrative experience, including team leadership and office management.
• Assessment and budget planning and oversight.
• Grant development and writing experience.
• Development and fund-raising experience.
• Established track record in partnership building and collaboration, excellent oral and written communication, time management, and personnel management.
• Coordination of and collaboration with large student programs across a university.
• The ability to think creatively, strategically, and independently about the roles, opportunities, and rewards of undergraduate research within the context of each program, discipline, and college, as well as across the University campus and into the community.
• Ability to identify, track, and leverage data and analytical tools to demonstrate the impact of undergraduate research and high-impact practices.

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