Assistant Director, Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University is seeking an Assistant Director, Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives - Jupiter, FL.

The Assistant Director works with the Executive Director of Academic Operations to support graduate and undergraduate training in the life sciences across Florida Atlantic University’s northern campuses and manages strategic initiatives in partnership with research institutes on the John D. MacArthur campus in Jupiter, including the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI). 

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Admissions Coordination: Manage the full admissions process for Jupiter-based doctoral students in the Integrative Biology (IB) and International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) programs, including application management, onboarding, and ensuring compliance with Graduate College policies. Consult with university offices on matters related to admissions, registration, academic standing, student grievances, and degree audits. Assist the Business Manager with preparation of tuition and fee wire transfer documentation in accordance with the FAU-MPFI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

• Graduate Student Advising: Provide academic advising to Jupiter-based IB and IMPRS Ph.D. students, including guidance on academic progress, course planning, registration, financial aid, student accounts, supervisory committee formation, Master’s Along the Way (MALW) requests, and degree completion audits to ensure timely degree progress. Coordinate student meetings and disseminate academic policy updates to students, faculty, and partners in collaboration with Boca-based graduate program staff.

• Graduate Assistant Coordination: Oversee semester-based assignments of Jupiter-based Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs), in collaboration with the Business Manager for Jupiter Academic Affairs and the Boca Raton campus-based Lab Coordinator.

• Partnership Management: Collaborate closely with the MPFI’s education team on graduate student recruitment, advising, marketing, and event planning – including the IMPRS Selection Symposium, student retreats, and cross-institutional engagement.

• Graduate Program Operations: Work in partnership with Boca Raton-based staff to support graduate recruitment efforts, grants and fellowship submission, and the implementation of enrollment-building initiatives. Liaise across departments and campuses to coordinate communication and orientation for new graduate students.

• Workshop and Research Training Coordination: Assist with the planning and execution of advanced research technique workshops, courses, and symposia for undergraduate, graduate, postbac and postdoctoral trainees, in collaboration with MPFI and other research partners.

• Program Coordination: Postbac & Honors Programs: Support the coordination of the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Life Sciences and the FAU-Max Planck Honors Program on the Jupiter campus.

• Shared Instrument Scheduling & Industry Partnerships: Manage access and scheduling for shared scientific instruments supplied by Jupiter-based industry partners and used by FAU, MPFI, and UF-Scripps researchers. Assist in hosting events with industry affiliates related to equipment and research engagement.  

• Instructional Duties: Teach 1-2 courses or workshops annually, as assigned, in neuroscience, life sciences, or professional development for STEM students, including oversight of team-taught courses. Use Canvas and other instructional tools to support course registration and delivery,

• Perform other graduate education-related duties as assigned. Including, but not limited to, developing marketing and outreach materials in collaboration with communications and public relations teams. Provide back-up support for SACS accreditation documentation, affiliate and graduate faculty credentialing, and GTA appointment processes on the Jupiter campus.

FAU Benefits and Perks 

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers: 

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