Director of Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives and Internship

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Science is committed to enhancing the college’s strength in theoretical, experimental, and computational sciences by promoting excellence in academic and research programs. Our academic programs and pioneering research initiatives at locations throughout Northern Virginia provide world-class scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society. The College promotes diversity, and recruits the brightest faculty, students, and staff to create a vibrant and dynamic environment of learning and inquiry. The College enhances the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the University by responding to the needs of the community and creating spires of excellence.

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Director of Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives and Internships, reporting to the Senior Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs and in collaboration with the leadership of existing high school and undergraduate research initiatives, oversees the administrative direction and implementation of the college’s undergraduate student research, high school student research, student internships, and teacher engagement activities for the entirety of the college. This position plays a key role in attracting highly talented local high school students to enroll in College of Science degree programs through programs such as the nationally known Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). As part of this, the position is responsible for overseeing the budget for the ASSIP and the Galileo Cafe with full spending authority. The position collaborates with other faculty and staff in the college on other initiatives to include the Aspiring Inventor's Club. This position may be responsible for the supervision of two (2) or more wage employees who will assist with the administrative functions of ASSIP or Galileo Cafe.

Responsibilities:

Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives

• Develops, plans, organizes and directs new initiatives in support of undergraduate research experiential learning activities. Examples include modeling new programs and initiatives after the existing Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) for undergraduate students. Participation in the ASSIP program is restricted to high school students during the summer semester. This new initiative would specifically target our COS undergraduate student population, and it meets the Provost’s strategic plan for increasing research opportunities for undergraduate students at Mason. COS Undergraduate Students would participate in a high-quality summer research program modeled after ASSIP;
• A second initiative is to create, organize and manage research opportunities for COS Undergraduate Students during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. This position is responsible for creating a workable procedure for linking interested undergraduate students with research faculty and graduate student researchers. Annual analysis of the Undergraduate Research Summer Program and the Undergraduate Research Program during the regular academic year would be expected in order to monitor growth and scientific accomplishments; and
• A third initiative is to work with Academic Affairs to identify teacher engagement activities including professional development and research experiences for teachers.

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program and Galileo Café

• Creates, plans,