Job Details

Assistant Director of Research - Division of Student Success - UTK

Position Number: 6311439
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Assistant Director of Research - Division of Student Success - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 3475
Job Category: Student Services
Posting Date: 06/18/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
The Assistant Director (AD) for Undergraduate Research in the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (OURF) leads efforts to enhance undergraduate student engagement in research and creative activities across disciplines. This role involves managing wide-ranging programs, including (but not limited to) grants, symposia, workshops, a student research journal, student ambassadors, and professional development initiatives, to provide transformative experiential learning opportunities. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with campus partners-including faculty, departments, and students/student organizations-to promote research opportunities broadly.

The AD also supports the Director and Associate Director in the ongoing assessment and refining of existing programs and the strategic proposal and development of new ones in support of office, division, and institutional goals. Related to this responsibility is the proactive support of faculty and graduate student undergraduate research mentors. In addition, the AD will work with the Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director of Fellowships to explore and develop opportunities and techniques for collaboration across OURF's functional areas -- with the principal goals of expanding and diversifying the pool of fellowships candidates and more robustly, directly, and strategically supporting undergraduates seeking not only internal, but also external research funding and opportunities. The AD also supports division-wide priorities, including the Vol Edge, Vol Connect, DSS Express, and other student-facing priorities.

Responsibilities
Management and Refinement of Existing Undergraduate Research Programs

Manage semester and summer research assistantship programs, to include liaising with faculty, staff, and students, as well as external partners

Manage semester and summer undergraduate research enrichment programming

Manage multiple campus undergraduate research exhibitions, including the Summer Research Symposium, Discovery Day, and EUReCA

Manage conference travel grants program

Liaise with the Vol Edge Program to find moments of synergy in student support

Support the work of the Director and Associate Director by making substantial contributions in the areas of undergraduate research program assessment, annual reporting, identifying budget priorities, and new program proposals and development

Supervise one OURF Coach (full-time employee)

Undergraduate Student Engagement and Outreach to Encourage and Increase Student Participation in Undergraduate Research

Advise PURSUIT (undergraduate research journal) and the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URA)

Present on undergraduate research opportunities to classes, departments, offices, and student groups; at campus events and programs; and at OURF-led seminars, workshops, and information sessions

Work with office leadership and division communications staff on communications planning and execution (website, social media, newsletter, promotional materials, etc.)

Integrate Vol Connect and DSS Express in student engagement initiatives

Professional Development and Engagement with Division and Campus Committees, as well as State, National, and International Organizations Focused on Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

Active engagement with Undergraduate Research Advisory Council (URAC)

Active engagement with CUR

Participation in division's various committee work and initiatives

Cross-Functional Office Collaboration and Process Improvement

Collaborate with Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director for Fellowships to develop opportunities and techniques for collaboration across OURF's functional areas -- with the principal goals of expanding the pool of fellowships candidates

Support fellowships application review, interview processes, writing support, student advising, and workshops

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education:
- Master's Degree
Experience:
- Experience working with undergraduate researchers, faculty mentors, and undergraduate research programs on a university campus, preferably in an administrative role
- Experience working with faculty, staff, and offices across functional areas of a university

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Advanced knowledge of best practices in undergraduate research programming
Advanced knowledge of the populations on a university campus and the various opportunities and potential needs presented by a large, varied student population
Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion and work effectively and professionally 1-on-1 and in groups with students, faculty, staff, and external audiences
Demonstrated ability to organize complex events on a university campus
Ability to work well and remain organized and composed under the pressure of deadlines and high-volume times of year
Public speaking skills necessary to present effectively to large and varied audiences -- primarily students, but also faculty, staff, and external partners
Advanced skill in written communication and ability to work effectively with students seeking to develop and strengthen their research/project statement-writing
Ability to take direction, initiate action, develop ideas into programs, and work as a collaborative team member
Ability to supervise and develop staff
Skills to leverage data and student success technologies in order to make informed, timely decisions

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
- Doctoral Degree
Experience:
- Three+ years of relevant experience
- Experience at the university level with academic advising, writing support, or teaching
- Experience mentoring undergraduate research

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of nationally competitive awards and current trends and issues in fellowships advising

Knowledge of other types of experiential learning in a higher education context, such as international education, service-learning, and internships

Work Location

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR 10
Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $61,500
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

About Us

With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state's flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!

Ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates", "One of America's Best Large Employers", "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/3475/?mode=location