Associate Director of Undergraduate Research in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

Job Type Full-Time

Overview

The Associate Director of Undergraduate Research leads major undergraduate research programs, funding initiatives, and educational programming within the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), serving Princeton undergraduates across all disciplines and stages of their academic careers. As Princeton's central hub for undergraduate research, OUR furthers the University's commitment to expanding access to transformative mentored research experiences through advising, funding opportunities, research programming, cross-campus research conferences, and partnerships with research mentors and academic departments.

The Associate Director provides leadership in developing and delivering opportunities that support students’ scholarly, professional, and personal development. Key responsibilities include oversight of ReMatch, a mentoring program developed in partnership with the Graduate School; OURFIP, a new faculty-mentored internship program for the Humanities and Social Sciences; the Undergraduate Fund for Academic Conferences (UFAC); and the Summer Research Colloquium (SRC), a professional development program for students engaged in summer research.

In addition, the Associate Director leads undergraduate research engagement and outreach through the development of educational programming, strategic partnerships, and communications that expand access to research opportunities. They play a leading role in the planning of Princeton Research Day - Undergraduate Edition, the University's annual celebration of research, which showcases more than 150 undergraduate presenters and attracts approximately 800 attendees each year. The Associate Director provides leadership in student advising and development by mentoring undergraduate researchers, guiding students through research and postgraduate opportunities, and recruiting, training, and supervising student staff who support office programs and communications efforts.

The Associate Director partners with the Director on strategic planning, assessment, and institutional reporting. The position serves as a representative of the Office of Undergraduate Research, helping to foster a vibrant and inclusive culture of undergraduate research and advancing Princeton's commitment to making meaningful scholarly inquiry accessible to all students.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership:

• Direct ReMatch, a mentoring program serving ~ 400 students annually; oversee participant recruitment and engagement, mentor-mentee matching, and program assessment.
• Lead the design of OURFIP, a new mentored internship program for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Oversee the Undergraduate Fund for Academic Conferences (UFAC), including application review, selection, award administration, and assessment for ~100 applications annually; manage a portfolio of funding sources to ensure strategic resource allocation and maximum student impact.
• Direct ReMatch+, including the program's application workshop, proposal review, and selection; provide feedback on proposals, and coordinate onboarding for ReMatch+ and other OUR interns.
• Lead the design and delivery of the Summer Research Colloquium (SRC) nine-week curriculum including faculty panels, workshops on research skills-building, mentoring up, navigating challenges, and communicating effectively, and summer conference; oversee budget and funding stewardship.

Engagement and Outreach:

• Lead the development and delivery of OUR's research workshop series and the creation of targeted programming for partner populations through strategic collaborations with Health Professions Advising, the Freshman Scholars Institute, and peer academic advising programs, and other partners to increase access to research opportunities and related resources.
• Serve as a campus leader on undergraduate research pathways, funding opportunities, and best practices in mentored research.
• Oversee undergraduate participation and contribute to the planning and implementation of Princeton Research Day - Undergraduate Edition.
• Provide leadership for the OUR website, HOUR newsletter, social media platforms, publications, and digital resources.
• Partner with University Communications, academic departments, research centers, and administrative offices to highlight student scholarship and promote research accomplishments.

Student Advising, Hiring, and Development:

• Advise 100+ students annually from across disciplines on identifying research opportunities, connecting with faculty mentors, developing research proposals, applying for funding, graduate programs, and fellowships, presenting and publishing research.
• Advise and mentor 40+ on-campus OUR interns on how to make the most of their summer research.
• Recruit, train, and oversee a team of ~12 student writers responsible for the Princeton Correspondents on Undergraduate Research (PCUR) blog.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise the Chief Correspondent of PCUR, two student communications assistants, and two student SRC program assistants.

Strategic Planning and Assessment:

• Partner with the Director in strategic planning initiatives, program development, and implementation of office priorities.
• Develop and maintain systems, databases, procedures, and assessment tools that support effective program management and continuous improvement.
• Lead program evaluation efforts and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to assess program effectiveness, student outcomes, and institutional impact.
• Prepare reports and presentations for university leadership, external stakeholders, funding agencies, and donor stewardship purposes.
• Represent OUR on university committees, working groups, campus-wide events, including the Academic Expo and First-Year Families Weekend.
• Participate in and present at regional and national conferences, contributing to the advancement of best practices in undergraduate research administration.

Qualifications

Essential:

Ph.D. required.

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, including teaching, advising, program administration, student development, undergraduate research, or related areas.

Demonstrated expertise in the research process across multiple disciplines and ability to advise students on research opportunities, proposal development, funding applications, and dissemination of scholarship.

Demonstrated success developing and delivering student-centered educational programing.

Experience with institutional reporting, program evaluation, and assessment.

Experience leading complex programs or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred:

Experience supervising staff, student employees, or peer mentors.

Experience reviewing competitive research proposals and administering funding programs.

Familiarity with undergraduate research programs and funding mechanisms at Princeton and peer institutions.

Experience working with first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, and underserved student populations.

Knowledge of higher education trends, research funding ecosystems, and best practices in undergraduate research administration.

Familiarity with databases, CRM systems, and application management platforms.

Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive information.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours
36.25

Eligible for Overtime
No

Benefits Eligible
Yes

Probationary Period
180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
No

Physical Capacity Exam Required
No

Valid Drivers License Required
No

Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level

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Salary Range
$95,000 to $115,000