Manager of Student Success, Professional Development, and Intellectual Life for PhD Programs

The Manager of Student Success, Professional Development, and Intellectual Life for PhD Programs will inaugurate a new position within the NYU Shanghai Office of Graduate and Advanced Education (OGAE) responsible for nurturing the success of doctoral students in all facets, from supporting academic progress to promoting research achievement to fostering professional development to advancing intellectual life.

NYU Shanghai offers 11 PhD programs in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Neural Science, Physics, Public Administration, Sociology, and Transportation Planning and Engineering. All programs are offered through partnerships with schools and departments at NYU New York, including the Graduate School of Arts and Science and Tandon School of Engineering, among many others. More than 30 NYU Shanghai faculty serve as doctoral advisors and more than 50 students have been admitted across all programs with these numbers anticipated to grow significantly in the future.

The successful candidate will work directly with students, faculty, and colleagues across the university in Shanghai and New York to implement programs that will strengthen and enrich the doctoral community, and create deeper connections for it with the broader NYU Shanghai community. He/she will have the opportunity to contribute in an impactful way to NYU Shanghai’s continued effort to become a leader in Chinese and international higher education.

For more information about PhD programs at NYU Shanghai, visit https://shanghai.nyu.edu/academics/graduate/phd-programs.

How to Apply and Inquiries
Applications and inquiries can be sent to NYU Shanghai Associate Dean of Graduate and Advanced Education Eric Mao at ehm4@nyu.edu. Applications should include a resume / CV and cover letter.

The main responsibilities include:
● Develop expertise, knowledge, and special competencies relating to NYU Shanghai PhD programs. Brainstorm and implement ideas for enhancing student success, professional development, and the doctoral community.
● Meet regularly with students as they progress through each stage of their PhD program, helping them to identify and achieve goals. Provide counsel and support to students on various issues common to the PhD experience, such as managing the transition from pre-doctoral studies to developing a research agenda to preparing for careers after doctoral graduation.
● Work closely with faculty to promote the adoption and spread of best practices around doctoral mentorship
● Develop relationships with NYU New York schools and departments to effectively serve as an extension of those partners in Shanghai
● Brainstorm and implement programs aimed at developing students’ teaching ability and research skills by, for example, working with the NYU Shanghai Center for Teaching & Learning and NYU Shanghai Library
● Promote interdisciplinary links across PhD students and connections between PhD students and other related populations such as post-docs, other graduate students, and undergraduates
● Assume leadership for organizing annual marquee doctoral research showcase event to spotlight PhD achievement among the NYU Shanghai community
● Spearhead co-curricular initiatives that enhance intellectual life such as speaker series, discussion groups, and academic affinity organizations
● Contribute to planning and organization of extracurricular initiatives that enhance social life such as cohort outings and bonding events
● Research, track, and connect students with supplemental funding programs, such as external fellowships and awards
● Contribute to overall wellness and mental health among doctoral students by being sensitive and responsive to their needs
● Develop partnerships with organizations beyond NYU that could enhance success and professional development for students

● At all times, be an effective advocate for graduate education within the NYU Shanghai community and embody the standard of excellence the university expects of its graduate initiatives.
● Remain abreast of competitive marketplace trends and benchmark similar programs and activities. Represent the OGAE and build new connections. Uphold a constant attitude of seeking ways to advance, develop, and
improve the OGAE.
● Be available for periodic assignments and projects that may pertain to all graduate programs.
● Other related responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Associate Dean of Graduate and Advanced Education. This position may also evolve in accordance with growth in the OGAE (such as with the introduction of new programs) and with the Manager’s own creativity, initiative, and interests.

Qualifications
Required Education
● Doctoral Degree strongly preferred. Background in a STEM discipline highly valued.
● Study abroad experience highly valued

Required Experience
● Prior experience supporting doctoral students highly valued
● Prior record of published scholarship or knowledge of publishing ecosystem highly valued
● Prior university teaching experience highly valued
● Prior experience applying for fellowships and grants or knowledge of external awards ecosystem highly valued
● Prior experience presenting at or knowledge of research conferences ecosystem highly valued

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
● Demonstrated ability to align one’s own goals with the strategic direction of an institution, understanding and supporting the institutional values while also thinking creatively about institutional problem-solving.

● Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently in a cross-cultural environment, developing effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
● Highly attuned detail orientation with strong sense of personal integrity.
● Strong desire to work directly with students, understanding their needs and working to promote their success
● Demonstrated ability to be forward-thinking and to take initiative, anticipating implications and consequences and identifying actions before situations require them.
● Native or professional fluency in English required. Native or professional fluency in Chinese highly valued.