Academic and Research Administration
Ph.D. level administrators play a critical role in supporting the research mission and related educational endeavors. A range of specific administrative positions exist in Universities and other Research Institutions, including roles that specialize in supporting departments, trainees, or grants (both pre and post-award). Administrators need a strong combination of leadership, organization, communication, and quantitative skills. Aspects of these skills are already developed through research training, but can be effectively augmented through additional professional development activities and by gaining administrative experience. Leadership roles in student and postdoctoral organizations, or the University of Chicago Higher Education Fellows program, provide trainees with hands-on experience in activities relevant to careers in research administration.
- Facilitating Breakthroughs: Program Officer Roles in Foundations (Spring 2024)
- Creating Space for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programming on Academic Campuses (Winter 2021)
- Research Management in Academia and Industry (Autumn 2020)
- Careers at Core Facilities: Being at the Heart of Academia (Autumn 2019)
- Emerging Biosafety Careers in Academic and National Laboratories (Autumn 2018)
- Careers in Research Program Management (Winter 2018)
- Careers in Research Administration & Development (Autumn 2017)
- Project Management Careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry (Spring 2017)
- Core Facilities Scientist: An Emerging Career Opportunity (Winter 2016)
- Arbiters of Scientific Knowledge: Using Your PhD to Advance Science and Informatics Services at the Library (Winter 2016)
- Careers in Higher Education Administration for PhDs (Spring 2015)
- Careers in Research Administration (Winter 2015)
As relevant events are announced, they will be linked here.
Internships
- Scientific Writing & Grant Development (Winter 2018 – recurring)
- University Scientific Administration Intern (Summer 2017)
- Biological Sciences Library Consultant (Summer 2017)
Examples of institutions where you could work in this field:
Liberal Arts Colleges
Pharmaceutical Companies
R1 Research Universities
Examples of job titles that you might find at those institutions:
Associate Vice President for Research
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Trial Manager
Core Facility Director
Dean
Program Manager or Director
Professional societies that are relevant to this career category:
Association of Biomolecular Research Facilities
Association of Clinical Research Professionals
National Council of University Research Administrators
Society of Research Administrators
Alumni Working in Academic & Research Administration
Elise Covic
PhD Computational Neuroscience 2010
Deputy Dean, The College, University of Chicago
What did you do as a trainee to prepare for your current career?
I knew early on in my graduate training that I wanted a career in science policy/academic administration so I did my best to groom myself for that roll by taking on leadership roles (BSD Dean’s Council Chair), by working with scientific societies to educate legislators about the importance of scientific funding and through science outreach initiatives such as the Groks Science Show. I made sure that my CV from grad school reflected that I could hit the ground running in a career outside the lab.
What are the typical things your job entails each day?
Nothing is typical. The largest part of my job is student advising and advocacy. Besides that, I am busy with program and curricular development, grant writing and putting out administrative fires.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Being able to advise students throughout their graduate phase is my favorite part of the job. I can provide a unique perspective to the students because, not so long ago, I too was a UChicago graduate student.
Imogen Hurley
PhD Neurobiology 2011
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
What did you do as a trainee to prepare for your current career?
As a postdoc I volunteered in the BSD Postdoctoral Association and worked with the university administration to develop documents explaining postdoc appointment policy.
What are the typical things your job entails each day?
During an average day I perform activities such as: coordinating training events; attending meetings with collaborators; writing policy and grant text; answering queries from postdocs, staff and faculty.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Receiving feedback from postdocs or their mentors saying that the programs we have developed are improving the postdoc experience on campus.