Associate Director of First Exposure to Research in the Biological Sciences (FERBS), Penn Arts and Sciences - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Associate Director of First Exposure to Research in the Biological Sciences (FERBS), Penn Arts and Sciences





Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services, Undergraduate Programs





Job Description Summary

The Associate Director for The First Exposure to Research in the Biological Sciences (FERBS) program will support students from communities underrepresented in STEM with no or limited exposure to research throughout their academic career at The University of Pennsylvania. The Associate Director will be directly involved with each fellow as they match with faculty researchers, engage with community partners, and fulfill all the fellowship's professional development and leadership requirements throughout their four-year academic careers. The Associate Director will work closely with the FERBS Faculty Director and Deputy Director as they jointly oversee the fellows selection and administration of the program, participate in program evaluation, strategic planning, grant-writing, and campus resources available for undergraduates as needed by the FERBS students, and mentor the 80 students participating in the program. This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon funding.





Job Description


The First Exposure to Research in the Biological Sciences (FERBS) is a four-year scholars program started as a collaboration between the Biology and Biochemistry & Biophysics departments seeking to provide holistic training of a new generation of high-achieving scholars to become leaders in their chosen fields with a commitment to increasing the diversity of professionals within STEM. Through early exposure to research with structured mentorship and training, as well as financial support, career development, and community engagement, the program focuses on providing our high-performing students with the opportunities and support needed to succeed in STEM. FERBS accepts 20 students per cohort.




Duties:


The Associate Director for the FERBS program serves as the primary advisor for students from communities underrepresented in STEM with no or limited exposure to research as they get matched with a research lab. The FERBS Associate Director works to build a network of Penn research labs in the Natural Sciences who are interested in mentoring and guiding FERBS scholars throughout their time at Penn. The Associate Director brings the FERBS students together to build their skills and scientific network on and off campus through academic and social programming. The Associate Director works to coordinate the application and selection process for FERBS scholars in the Fall of their first year as well as their lab placement, participates in the curricular activities of the FERBS-specific 1st year course and workshops throughout their four years, mentors students, remains a point of contact throughout their four years of working in research labs, in the academic year and summer at Penn and beyond, and finally assists as the students graduate and look for opportunities beyond their time at Penn. With the FERBS Director and Deputy Director, the Associate Director assists with strategic planning for the sustainability of FERBS, including grant-writing, program evaluation, regular reporting, budget review, and communication with the FERBS Team, Advisory Boards, the Dean of the College and the College Office staff.




Qualifications:


Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. The preferred candidate will have extensive experience with lab culture, student mentoring, substantial academic, administrative experience, and hold a PhD in Natural Science or an Ed.D. with a Science focus. Demonstrated interest or experience working with students from communities underrepresented in STEM with no or limited exposure to research STEM required. Previous experience in research, teaching, advising, and/or administration at the college level is ideal. Experience partnering with various campus resource centers and advising systems preferred. Supervisory experience is a plus but not necessary. Ability to lead/participate in occasional evening or weekend events.




This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon funding.




* For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section.






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences





Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $91,232.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.