Academic Advisor - School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waivers for employees and/or a

Paid time Off

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, invites applications for Academic Advisor and Senior Academic Advisor roles. Responsibilities include advising undergraduates across MCB programs, plus career and student engagement activities on a full-time basis.

Minimum qualifications require a Bachelor's in biological science with advising experience; a Master’s is preferred for the senior level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field; training or experience in advising, teaching, or counseling in a college/university setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with undergraduates and in collaborative environments.
• Preferred: Master’s degree and experience mentoring staff or leading advising initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Academic advising for undergraduates in MCB and related programs.
• Career advising and guidance to help students develop employment or graduate school plans.
• Student engagement, recruitment, orientation, and events to support student success.

Skills

Advising experience

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological science

Master’s degree in biological science or related field (preferred)

Job description

Academic Advisor - School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites applications for an Academic Advisor and/or a Senior Academic Advisor. In the School of MCB, we seek answers to fundamental questions about how organisms work and the many implications for life. Through a rich culture of collaboration, we drive new discoveries in human health and empower students with the critical and analytical skills needed for successful careers. We educate students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and our alumni can be found throughout the world as leading healthcare providers, researchers in industry and academia, educators, and more. Meet the MCB community at mcb.illinois.edu.

Job Summary - Academic Advisor

Academic and career advising for students in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB), with responsibilities to include academic and career advising for undergraduates in MCB, MCB+ Data Science, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, and Biology. The School of MCB seeks candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration, inclusive practices and empowering others to succeed, through their academic advising work.

Job Summary - Senior Academic Advisor

The Senior Academic Advisor serves as a leader within the School of MCB's advising team, providing advanced academic and career advising for undergraduates in MCB, MCB +Data Science, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Biology. The School of MCB seeks candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration, inclusive practices, and empowering others to succeed, through their academic advising work.

Duties & Responsibilities- Academic Advisor

Academic Advising

• Educate students regarding requirements of the majors, minors, and certificates in the School of MCB through individual conferences and group meetings. Assist and consult with students about course expectations and academic performance

Career Advising

• Provide career development coaching and guidance to undergraduates in our majors. Support students as they investigate and determine their vocational goals. Assist and consult with students for developing skills needed to be the best possible candidate for employment, graduate school and professional school

Student Engagement

• Assist with recruiting, orienting and welcoming new students to the School of MCB. Plan, host and advertise special programs and workshops to aid in the education and success of continuing students. Assist with convocation for School of MCB graduates.

Administrative

• Maintain accurate and timely records of all interaction with students. Attend School and College meetings as required. Foster positive collegial relationships among students, staff, and faculty.

Duties & Responsibilities - Senior Academic Advisor

Academic Advising

• Provide leadership in academic advising initiatives, including training and mentoring junior advisors. Serve as a resource for complex advising cases and policy interpretation. Educate students regarding requirements of the majors, minor and certificates in the School of MCB through Individual conferences and group meetings. Assist and consult with students about course expectations and academic performance.

Career Advising

• Develop and lead career-focused programming and workshops tailored to MCB disciplines. Establish and maintain partnerships with campus career services and external organizations to expand student opportunities.
• Provide career development coaching and guidance to undergraduates in our majors. Support students as they investigate and determine their vocational goals. Assist and consult with students for developing skills needed to be the best possible candidate for employment, graduate school and professional school.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all interactions with students.
• Attend School and College meetings as required. Foster positive collegial relationships among students, staff, and faculty.

Leadership & Professional Development

• Mentor and support professional development of advising staff within the School of MCB. Lead efforts to improve advising practices through data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Stay current with trends and best practices in academic advising and student development.

Administrative

• Maintain accurate and timely records of all Interactions with students. Attend School and College meetings as required. Foster positive collegial relationships among students, staff, and faculty.

Student Engagement

• Lead student engagement initiatives that promote retention and belonging. Participate in strategic planning and policy development for advising services.
• Assist with recruiting, orienting and welcoming new students to the School of MCB. Plan, host and advertise special programs and workshops to aid in the education and success of continuing students.

Assist with convocation for School of MCB graduates.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - Academic Advisor

• Bachelor's Degree In biological science or related field with substantial knowledge of biology or related field.
• Training or demonstrated experience in advising, teaching, or counseling in a college or university setting.

Preferred Qualifications – Academic Advisor

• Master's Degree In biological science, higher education, or related fields.
• At least one year of professional experience in advising, student services, counseling, or teaching in a college or university setting.
• Experience working with undergraduates at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or other large public university.
• Experience mentoring staff or leading advising initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications -Senior Academic Advisor

• Bachelor's Degree In biological science or related field with substantial knowledge of biology or related field.
• Five or more years of professional experience in advising, teaching, or counseling in a college or university setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a leadership capacity within an advising or student services team.

Preferred Qualifications – Senior Academic Advisor

• Master's Degree In biological science, higher education, or related fields.
• At least three years of professional experience in advising, student services, counseling, or teaching in a college or university setting.
• Experience working with undergraduates at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or other large public university.
• Experience mentoring staff or leading advising initiatives.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities -Academic/Senior Academic Advisor.
• Well established communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and effective record-keeping.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues both within and across units.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Experience with event planning.

Appointment Information

These are a 100% full-time Academic Professional positions, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for the Academic Advisor level is $55,000-$65,000. The budgeted salary range for the Senior Academic Advisor level is $57,000-$67,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship work authorization. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• A Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].