Graduate Field Assistant and Undergraduate Program Coordinator

About the Department of Computational Biology

The Department of Computational Biology (CB) is a joint department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) with three participating colleges including the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and the College of Arts and Sciences. The department consists of nine full-time faculty members, with additional adjunct, joint and research faculty members. Faculty have expertise in computer science, genomics, systems biology, population genetics, and modeling. They apply these skills to a wide range of exciting problems in the life sciences. The department administers the Computational Biology undergraduate concentration within the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and is home to the Computational Biology PhD graduate degree program. Additionally, the faculty in the department are members of the Computational Biology graduate field, as well as several other graduate fields offering M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.

The Opportunity

The Field of Computational Biology is seeking a Graduate Field Assistant and Undergraduate Program Coordinator to serve as a trusted hub for student support and program operations. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working across teams, translating policies into practical guidance, and creating a welcoming, student-centered experience for people from all backgrounds.

In this position, you will provide a broad range of administrative support to department faculty and teaching staff, partner closely with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), collaborate with CALS Office of Academic Programs and campus partners, and help ensure students receive timely, accurate, and compassionate support throughout their academic journeys.

This position is part-time (20 hours/week) and will be located in Ithaca, New York.

Interested candidates should apply by February 23rd.

What You'll Do

This is a highly collaborative, service-oriented role with a balance of program coordination, policy interpretation, and student support.

Graduate Field Administration- You'll provide high-level administrative coordination for the graduate program and support the DGS by:

• Preparing correspondence, maintaining databases/mailing lists, and producing regular program reports
• Serving as a liaison with the Graduate School, Bursar, Registrar, CALS, Admissions, and Global Learning
• Stewarding fellowship/scholarship/award nominations in coordination with Graduate Financial Aid Administrators
• Processing forms and petitions with accuracy; drafting verification letters
• Researching and compiling materials for meetings, surveys, and reports
• Processing Workday appointments and generating letters via Workday
• Staying current on policy changes and advising program leadership accordingly
• Coordinating administrative requirements for offers/appointments and related compliance paperwork
• Supporting Weill Medical College Linkage students
• Assisting with graduate seminar series and participating in trainings/required meetings
• Coordinating PhD recruitment and orientation events; supporting recruitment initiatives
• coordinate details related to field faculty nominations, resignations, and retirements with the Graduate School
• Updating publications and web/electronic program information
• Upholding privacy, admissions integrity, and data security standards

Undergraduate Program Support- You'll be the primary point of contact for the undergraduate concentration in Computational Biology by:

• Providing broad administrative support under the DUS and Administrative Manager
• Maintaining clear communications among faculty, advisors, and students
• Coordinating the online Directory, course catalog, and CLSS class information
• Maintaining curriculum, course lists, and course number tracking; supporting curriculum committee meetings
• Assembling and analyzing student data (records, statistics, demographics) and preparing reports
• Scheduling exams and securing instructional spaces
• Coordinating grade submissions and resolving grading issues
• Administering course evaluations and distributing reports
• Coordinating summer session course proposals and budgets as needed.
• Overseeing textbook and course packet submissions
• Creating/maintaining Canvas course sites; troubleshooting access and content issues
• Supporting degree audit processes across colleges to ensure timely progress toward degree
• Recognizing and responding to students in distress, partnering with Student Support and Advocacy Services as needed
• Ensuring compliance with student privacy/data regulations

Graduate Student Support- You'll support current and prospective graduate students across key milestones by:

• Advising on admissions, academic requirements, course options, financial aid processes, and campus resources
• Serving as an initial point of contact for student concerns; providing referrals and resource navigation
• Identifying and responding to students in distress in coordination with the Graduate School and campus partners
• Responding to faculty/field questions regarding fellowship allocations and clarifying policies/procedures
• Maintaining secure, permanent student records including course and grade records
• Tracking academic progress and ensuring alignment with degree requirements and field policies

General Administrative Support- You'll strengthen the broader administrative team by:

• Providing backup support for the Department Chair's Assistant
• Supporting international graduate student scholars related to visas and evolving procedures
• Supporting faculty and teaching staff, including lab recruitment coordination needs

Other Position-Related Responsibilities- You'll contribute to continuous improvement and shared service by:

• Collaborating closely with CALS Student Services for training and guidance
• Participating in required student service events and trainings
• Completing trainings related to supporting students in crisis and promoting well-being
• Assisting with special projects and evolving business needs, including occasional coverage outside typical hours
• Communicating proactively with colleagues when priorities shift, ensuring fair and workable coverage plans
• Engaging in ongoing feedback and professional development

If you are a detail oriented and organized professional who takes pride in their good work and who wants to help graduate/undergraduate students thrive through outstanding service, programmatic support, and clear guidance, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter!

Required Qualifications

• All applications require a resume and cover letter for full consideration.
• Associate's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience
• Proven experience in communicating effectively, both written and oral.
• Able to work independently while supporting the efforts of the overall team.
• Experience in developing effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated expertise with computer systems and scheduling tools.
• Demonstrated record of successfully providing exceptional customer service.
• Experience that demonstrates creativity, reasoning, and solution-finding techniques.
• Knowledge of how to balance conflicting priorities, make informed choices, and use sound judgment in completing urgent tasks.
• Must be flexible and receptive to new ideas and approaches. Experience in handling confidential information with utmost discretion and integrity.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and well-being.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an academic environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn Cornell student systems (Bursar, Faculty Center, course enrollments, PeopleSoft, CLSS)
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn Cornell University systems, policies, and procedures.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is part-time (20 hours/week), is located in Ithaca, New York, and is expected to be fully on-site. There may be an opportunity to work remotely during student breaks.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.

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