University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate Director - Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C

Job Description Summary

The Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs (CDPS) Office serves as home base for Penn’s large and vibrant MD-PhD program (aka Medical Scientist Training Program or MSTP), one of the largest and mostly highly regarded programs of its kind in the country. In addition, we provide information and resources to prospective and current Perelman medical students who are interested in elective research opportunities and/or our MD/Master’s Programs.

The CDPS team is composed of four full time staff positions, led by a faculty member who is the Associate Dean. The team works closely with other members of the MD program administration, Biomedical Graduate Studies, and other relevant PhD and Master’s programs.

The Associate Director manages key elements of the MD-PhD program, and leads our support for elective research opportunities for medical students and MD/Master’s programs. Varied responsibilities include high-level tasks, as well as more basic administrative support. The role requires extensive interaction with a wide array of staff, faculty and students, and reports to the Director of Administration of the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs.

Job Description

MD-PhD PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Alumni tracking: Manage REDCap database, which currently includes information on 700+ alums. Optimize reporting capability and develop data reports and analysis for internal and external use including for NIH MSTP grant applications and progress reports. Develop expertise in career trajectories of alumni. Conduct annual alumni survey and annual survey of the graduating class. Maintain alumni section of website. Explore creation of alumni newsletter.

• NIH Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Grant management: Play a key role in ensuring that all elements of applications and reports are completed. Work closely with Grants Manager to prepare final documents for submission. Generate alumni data tables and provide alumni outcomes analysis. Enter all required student and alumni data in NIH xTract system.

• Individual Fellowship application support: Develop Institutional Commitment to Training and Educational Information templates and draft letters for each candidate. Enhance and maintain MD-PhD website section on applying for internal fellowships. Organize occasional information sessions for students. Maintain data on application success rates.

• Tracking of funds and endowments: Work closely with Finance Office to maintain information about funds and endowments, and help manage selection and award processes.

• Events management: Help oversee planning of major events, particularly the annual retreat and events involving alumni or graduating students.

• Admissions and Recruitment: Assist team during busy MD-PhD interview and recruitment process.

• Other special projects as assigned.

MANAGE ELECTIVE YEAR OUT AND SHORT TERM RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS

• Promotion of elective research and fellowship opportunities for Penn medical students: Maintain website with extensive information for interested students, including tips for approaching the process, and details about funding opportunities. Organize several information sessions during the year (present information; coordinate multiple calendars; book rooms; order food). Work closely with the Associate Faculty Director of Medical Student Scholarship and Research on new initiatives.

• Grant development and management: Write and coordinate elements of competing grant renewals and progress reports and assist with development of new proposals. Work with the Associate Faculty Director of Medical Student Scholarship and Research and Alumni Relations to identify and expand the philanthropic portfolio to create new streams that support medical student research.

• Fellowship selection processes: Manage admissions and selection process of short-term training grants and individual fellowships with institutional nomination process (eg AOA, AHA). Staff committee meetings. Ensure adherence to institutional and funding agency policies.

• Student advising: Counsel students one-on-one with regard to programs, mentorship issues and funding. Refer students to other resources and faculty advisors as appropriate.

• Other special projects as assigned.

MANAGE MD-MASTER’S PROGRAM INFORMATION

• Promotion of MD-Master’s opportunities for Penn medical students: Maintain website with extensive information about MD-Master’s programs, including information about admissions, advising and curriculum plans. Organize separate informational sessions for current medical students with leaders for each major program (coordinate multiple calendars; book rooms; order food; introduce and guide sessions). Develop student directories to serve as resources.

• Program guidance: Work closely with faculty members and staff across MD administration and individual Master’s programs to help ensure that programs run smoothly and students are well suppoted.

• Student advising and support: Counsel prospective MD-Masters applicants and students with regard to standard program issues. Facilitate the development of customized and atypical curriculum plans when needed.

• Other special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS and 3 or more years of experience in higher education administration or equivalent combination of education and experience is required

• One or more years of experience specifically in medical school and/or graduate school is preferred

• Ability to work independently and highly collaboratively

• Strong service orientation and team-player approach; warm and enthusiastic in support of students

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Keen analytical skills and excellent attention to detail

• Ability to multi-task efficiently and handle competing demands, while remaining cool under pressure

• Curiosity and eagerness to learn and solve problems

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, web content software, and database reporting applications

• Ability to work occasional evenings

• Position currently allows 2 days a week of remote work, and requires minimum of 3 days on site

All applicants must submit a cover letter. Additional professional writing samples are optional.

Estimated starting salary for this position is $69,000-$75,000

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAssociate Director C

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $73,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.