How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

As Manager of Trainee Programs, you are an important staff member of the Outreach and Community Engagement team at the Life Sciences Institute (LSI), assisting in multiple training and outreach programs for trainees, spanning from high school students to postdoctoral research fellows, to provide a supportive environment for trainees.

With oversight and assistance from the Director LSI Outreach and Community Engagement, you will manage all aspects of two summer research programs (Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program and Perrigo Undergraduate Summer Fellowship), run the LSI's Undergraduate Research Forum, and oversee the LSI Trainees Committee. You will design, develop and implement workshops, training, meetings and events with a focus on mentoring and professional development to foster the success of a diverse community of LSI trainees. You will report directly to the Director of LSI Outreach and Community Engagement.

Overview of Programs:

Aspirnaut High School Summer Research Internship:

The LSI offers a six-week summer research opportunity program for rising seniors in high school that provides hands-on, mentored laboratory experience in the life sciences. You will manage the administrative needs of this program that includes coordinating the application process, arranging travel and housing, planning and implementing a schedule of workshops, technical training, and social events, and selecting and the management of undergraduate interns who provide daily supervision and mentorship of the high school students.

Perrigo Undergraduate Summer Fellowship:

The LSI is home to a 10-week immersive, hands-on fellowship in basic science research to undergraduate students from institutions across the State of Michigan. In partnership with the program faculty director, you will manage the range of the fellowship, including advertising, student application and selection process, lab placements, onboarding, and annual symposium.

Undergraduate Research Forum:

The LSI has over 80 undergraduate students conducting research for credit, for pay or for volunteer experience within faculty labs. You will support the community of undergraduate researchers by providing social and professional development opportunities throughout the year, including creating opportunities for presentation of the students' research.

LSI Trainees Committee:

The LSI Trainees Committee, composed of graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows, meets monthly to develop social and professional development events to promote trainee skill-building and networking. You will provide oversight to the LSI Trainees Committee in the development and coordination of annual programming and related activities, including developing requests for funding, collecting program data, and facilitating event planning.

Additional details regarding these programs is available at https://www.lsi.umich.edu/education-training .

Mission Statement

The Life Sciences Institute explores biological processes, structures, and functions at the finest scale to create impact on a global scale. With a diverse community of inquisitive minds and exceptional tools, we are a catalyst for breakthrough discoveries.

For more information on the Life Sciences Institute: https://www.lsi.umich.edu/

Responsibilities*

In addition to the management and program development responsibilities noted in the Overview of Programs under the Job Summary section, you will manage the following:

COLLABORATION/COORDINATION:

Coordinate with LSI staff and other campus units, including the Center for Educational Outreach, to meet program goals and share information.
Develop and integrate ideas based on review of existing campus resources, benchmarked peers, and feedback from students, faculty, staff and LSI leadership.
Oversee decisions and coordination of logistics, reservations, transportation, schedules, space reservations, vendors, and catering for program needs.
With LSI Human Resources and central offices, assist with offer letters, appointments, MOUs, and payments for program participants and staff.

COMMUNICATION:

Communicate with applicants, students, parents, faculty and campus partners in writing and orally.
Create program schedules and share relevant information to stakeholders.
Maintain materials, websites, and meeting notes for internal and external groups.
Respond to inquiries from prospective students, school counselors, science teachers, and faculty mentors.

MANAGEMENT:

Supervise temporary program staff and volunteers.
Provide on-site management for program participants, meetings, events.

LEADERSHIP/HANDS-ON:

Lead events for trainees including orientation, poster and oral group presentations, and summer program team-building events and outings.
Create and provide hands-on training for trainees including basic lab experiments, professional integrity, research compliance and related topics.

BUDGET:

Create budgets for programs, track expenses and handle documentation submission for reimbursements or other account reconciliation needs.
Coordinate with LSI Finance and Development staff on decisions regarding program fund usage.
Assist with funding requests to internal and external (grants, foundations) sources.

COMPLIANCE:

Coordinate with U-M Children on Campus administrators and Environment, Health and Safety to ensure understanding of university and state requirements for program plans and participants.
Oversee implementation and enforcement of program compliance requirements.

DATA GATHERING/REPORTING:

Maintain lists (schools, counselors, emails) related to summer program outreach for applicants and program information.
Track participants and attendance and collect participant and program data.
Develop evaluation criteria for each program's success and impact, including contracting with external organizations as applicable.
Set up and manage online program applications process, monitor applications, gather applicant data, update databases, and report on applicant statistics.
Present details on programs for in-person meetings (internal and external), annual reporting and budget discussions, and meeting with potential and current donors.

OUTREACH:

Travel to recruitment sites to share details about the LSI's training programs.
Participate in outreach opportunities to highlight the LSI's training programs.
Facilitate and lead on-site tours of groups and individuals, including coordination of all aspects and LSI community engagement.

Required Qualifications*

MS or MA in a life sciences field
Minimum 2 years of experience mentoring students around academics and professional development.
Minimum 2 years of experience in scientific academic writing and presenting science to general audience
Experience with science, scientific research, education and public outreach
Prior experience engaging and connecting with students from diverse backgrounds
Commitment to promoting an inclusive climate for success
Superior interpersonal skills and demonstrated exceptional communication skills (oral and written)

Desired Qualifications*

PhD in a life sciences field
Knowledge of academic organizational structure and procedures and familiarity with summer STEM programs for undergraduate and high school students
Minimum 4 years of experience working in academic/research setting with trainees at different levels
Minimum 4 years of experience with topics in ethics and science in academic and research settings including familiarity with the NIH's Responsible Conduct of Research Training

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This position requires schedule flexibility to participate in some evening and weekend commitments, predominantly in the summer months, and the ability to move within the LSI and on-campus, as well as travel within the State of Michigan. The LSI operates as a hybrid workplace. You will be on-site at the Life Sciences Institute offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible scheduling and remote work opportunities as made available by LSI policies and as based on program and business needs.

Benefits at the University of Michigan:

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Dental and Vision Insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Maternity and Parental Leave

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.