Business Administrator

Department
 

PSD Chemistry: Faculty Support

About the Department
 

One of the first departments founded at the University of Chicago was the Department of Chemistry. Since then, The University of Chicago has been the recipient of more than 73 Nobel Prize recipients, 15 of which came from the Department of Chemistry. Our current faculty has considerable strength in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary research that delves into biology, physics, and materials science.

Job Summary
 

The Krishnan and Szostak labs in the chemistry department of the University of Chicago are looking for a Business Administrator who will facilitate the day-to-day operations and management of two research groups. This position may be attractive for those who wish to take on more administrative responsibilities in a stimulating academic research environment. Principal contributions for this position are intellectual, characterized by originality and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead administrator of the two research groups in managing administrative issues such as finances, academic personnel, and communications.

• Assist PIs with coordination of all functions necessary to support a research group.

• Serves as the 'front line' for requests for information from all members of the research groups.

• Collaborates with Departmental and Dean’s office staff to make sure that postdocs are hired and onboarded into the laboratory.

• Coordinate initial orientation for new postdoctoral researchers, students, and other research staff in assigned labs.

• Assists the PI with timely and confidential submission of recommendation letters and letters of evaluation to various institutions for career progression of lab members and other members of the community.

• Supervises undergraduate support positions including onboarding, approving time, and directing their work.

• Resolves many office problems independently and facilitates solutions, conferring with the appropriate faculty members to resolve the most complex issues

• Oversee procurement and the processing of reimbursements, and GEMS expense reporting.

• Manage seminar speakers/visitors by arranging travel and visit schedules; manage workshops and collaborative meetings within the research group and with other research groups or researchers.

• Manage PIs’ travel itineraries and related calendars, obtaining appropriate visas, and submitting reimbursements for expenses.

• Create and update content for the Group websites. The websites are critical, as they are the preferred channel for sharing news and results.

• Manage and prioritize daily task lists via email and be able to respond rapidly during the workday to email, text, phone, and/or verbal requests as these daily priorities evolve and/or change.

• Orders office and laboratory supplies, including chemicals, solvents, and small equipment.

• May manage special projects as directed by the PIs or collate supporting documentation for grants related to personnel statistics, lab facilities, etc.

• Monitors equipment usage/conditions, manages equipment procurement and repair, negotiates with vendors, and manages maintenance of laboratory chemical inventory.

• Performs some routine and complex assignments for the unit usually in the areas of finance, event planning, or support services. Initiate the hiring process of students and staff for a unit, which includes the processing of payroll.

• Responsible for training group members on safety and compliance protocols. Manages lab safety checklists, schedules, lab duty lists, lab maintenance, and cleanup schedules Coordinates special projects.

• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendor contracts.  Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit.

• Researches and analyzes data to create reports, and may create other reports for grants and contracts.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications:

Education:         

• Bachelor of Science or higher in Chemistry or other related field.

Experience:       

• Previous administrative experience.

• Previous experience in an academic institution.

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