Assistant Director of Scientific Communication

Assistant Director of Scientific Communication

University Job Title: Assistant Director 2
Bargaining Unit: None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)
Time Type: Full time
Duration Type: Regular
Compensation Grade: Administration & Operations
Wage Ranges: Click here to see our Wage Ranges
Work Location: Central Campus
Worksite Address: 120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Work Week: Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)
Searchable Job Family: Administration, Communications/Editing/Teaching, Research Res Support, Research/Support, Student Services
Total # of Hours to be Works: 37.5

Position Focus:
This position will support the written, oral, and visual communication skills of science students in Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and professional schools. Reporting to and collaborating with the Director of the Graduate Writing Lab in Yale's Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, the Assistant Director of Scientific Communication will design, administer, and assess programming primarily for graduate students in the sciences. Working with a team of three full-time colleagues and 40 graduate student Fellows, they will contribute expertise on scientific communication and scientific writing pedagogy, and ensure that the Graduate Writing Lab's suite of workshops, peer-review groups, study halls, and one-on-on writing consultations support the evolving needs of Yale's graduate students. The Assistant Director of Scientific Communication will collaborate with campus partners, and contribute to hiring, training, and mentoring graduate student Fellows. They will create workshops and materials that support graduate student scientists with research writing, grant writing, conference presentations, and writing for non-scientific audiences, and they will implement robust methods to assess the impact of these programs.

Our Culture, The Poorvu Center's mission to promote teaching and learning is rooted in a culture that prioritizes equity and the growth of each team member. We care for one another as professionals and human beings. We value the perspectives of individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and expertise. And we support one another in learning from our failures as much as our successes.

Principal Responsibilities:

1.Lead Graduate Writing Lab programs for science writers. Oversee the growth and development of these programs by offering direction and leadership that advance the mission of the GWL. 2. Collaborate with partners from science departments and libraries on programming that supports the needs of graduate students in the sciences. 3. Contribute to training and mentoring GWL Fellows as teachers and future professionals. 4. Teach and coordinate workshops on scientific writing in collaboration with a team of GWL Fellows from science departments. 5. Work individually with graduate student scientists to offer guidance on written, oral, and visual communication. 6. Support peer review groups on grant and research writing. 7. Develop and revise program materials, including slides, handouts, flyers, and online resources. 8. Promote events and programs in accordance with the communications plan for the GWL and the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. 9. Contribute to the GWL's system for tracking usage of programs and assessing their impact. 10. Participate in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of conversations and emerging themes in graduate writing support and scientific writing pedagogy. 11. Advance the mission of the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning by contributing to Center-wide initiatives and collaborating with colleagues from other teams.

The salary for this position will fall somewhere between $68,000 - $79,000. Review of applications will start on March 6th 2023.

Essential Duties:
1. Manages and leads research on various federal rules and regulations as well as University policies and procedures to resolve problems and determine the best course of action for the functional area. 2. Recommends course of action to higher authority for the handling and disposition of problems related to the functional area. 3. Counsels faculty, students and staff on issues related to administrative operations of the University function and areas of concern for the function. 4. Manages statistical and analytical information regarding office activities and areas of operational and administrative concern for the function. 5. Leads in long-range planning for the office activities of a specific functional area. 6. Interprets and administers various University and federal policies and regulations. 7. Disseminates accurate and up-to-date information regarding areas of concern. 8. Formulates and establishes policies regarding area’s function. 9. Manages a staff of exempt and non-exempt employees. 10. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:
Minimum requirement of Bachelor’s Degree in related field and three years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Superior understanding of the field of scientific communication, including excellent scientific writing skills, an understanding of the major genres of scientific writing, and thorough knowledge of science communication pedagogy.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Exceptional collaboration skills, including the capacity to build relationships of trust with writers from a variety of backgrounds, openness to share and respond to others within a team, and the ability to represent the GWL with warmth and professionalism inside and outside of Yale.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Demonstrated organizational abilities with a strong attention to detail, including the facility to manage ongoing collaborations with partners throughout the university and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a team-centered, time-constrained environment.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

High level of insight into scientific communication pedagogy, a willingness to reflect on personal teaching practices, and a deep commitment exploring a range of approaches to scientific teaching and graduate writing support.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Track record of a commitment to respecting diversity while advancing equity and inclusion, whether through lived experience, organizational involvement, or personal philosophy.


Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
Ph.D. in STEM field or rhetoric and composition. 5 yrs teaching writing to scientists at the college level or 3 yrs supporting science students in a teaching and learning center. Experience working with students across a range of fields and writing backgrounds. Experience promoting diversity and inclusive teaching. Recent PhDs and candidates who are finishing their degree are encouraged to apply.

Drug Screen: No
Health Screening: No

Background Check Requirements:


COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement:
Thank you for your interest in employment at Yale University. Please also note that the university has a https://covid19.yale.edu/covid-19-vaccination-policy "> COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirement for all students, staff & faculty which is described in the https://yalehealth.yale.edu/yale-covid-19-vaccine-program"> COVID-19 Vaccine Program. As you search our open positions, you will see that all postings list their on-site addresses which gives more detail on the on-campus work location of the role.


Posting Disclaimer:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

To apply, visit https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25053&siteid=5248&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=1572869



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