Administrative Assistant

About the Biomedical and Translational Sciences

The mission of the Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, established in 2026, is to:

Conduct cutting-edge basic & translational science research and innovative teaching & mentoring to advance education and discovery in veterinary and human medicine in an inclusive community.

The Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences was established in 2026 by a merger of two Departments, Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Medicine.  Each of these individual departments were similarly conceived in 1998 as mergers of Anatomy, Physiology, and part of Pathology (BMS) and Pharmacology and Pathology (MolMed).  Since that time, both BMS and MolMed have emerged as leading departments at Cornell in terms of animal resources and education, teaching and course development, academic coaching, college and university level administrative leadership, center directorship, federal and non-federal grant funding, basic science research output, and translational/clinical discovery.  The new Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences will continue to advance the mission priorities of Education, Discovery and Care within the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences is home to over 175 individuals, including faculty, trainees, and staff working together to advance our mission.

BTS faculty lead world-class research programs in several key areas of biomedical and molecular sciences, leveraging cell, organoid, and animal models of veterinary and human disease.  The major pillars of research are: (1) Cancer Biology, (2) Reproductive Sciences and Health, (3) Genetics & Genome Function, (4) Comparative Anatomy and Physiology, (5) Biochemistry and Structural Biology, and (6) Cell and Developmental Biology.  Other areas of expertise and ongoing/historical interest include molecular neurobiology, metabolism, endocrinology, cardiovascular biology, bone & cartilage biology, and intestinal biology & disease. 

BTS has a long history of excellence in teaching.  Faculty participate in instruction in one or more of the following ways: (1) DVM foundation courses, (2) DVM distribution courses, (3) School of Continuing Education summer courses, (4) undergraduate curriculum, and (5) graduate student courses and workshops. 

The Opportunity

This multifaceted Administrative Assistant position supports important areas of the department which, with new funding challenges and a need for diversifying our portfolios, is a critical role.  The successful individual will provide support in three main areas:

Grant/Pre-award Support

• Under direction of the departmental Grant and Contract Coordinators work with the Principal Investigator, prepare internal and external proposals (new, resubmissions, renewals), subcontracts, progress reports and supplements for submission to CRO, including all sponsor specific forms, budget and budget justification, review of PI generated documents, maintaining compliance with all regulations and deadlines of both the sponsor and Cornell University.

Educational Support

• Provide high level support to new programs of study administered through Biomedical and Translational Sciences.  This area of support covers pre-college, undergraduate and graduate curriculum (not including DVM curriculum) including but not limited to Master of Science programs and School of Continuing Education programs.
• Work closely with College of Veterinary Medicine Office of the University Registrar, the School of Continuing Education, and other individuals involved in coordinating the logistics of the programs’ course offerings.
• Manage teaching materials, grading processes, feedback mechanisms.

Departmental Administrative Support

• As assigned, plan events and special research seminars for the community.
• Carry out routine administrative tasks including but not limited to travel reimbursements, visitor planning including itineraries and travel, general support for the department including mail pickup, support for various departmental business operations.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of on