PSiX Faculty Fellow Coordinator

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY seeks a Program Coordinator for the Translational Fellowship in Purpose Science. The role partners with PSiX and Purpose Commons to run a three-year fellowship, coordinating logistics, fellows, mentors, and funder reporting.

Responsibilities include program design, convenings, travel logistics, stipends, and continuous improvement, supporting the Director and the grant team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• 2+ years of program or project coordination experience, ideally in a research, higher education, fellowship, or nonprofit setting.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine the fellowship structure, timeline, and materials for each cohort.
• Support outreach, recruitment, and selection of Research Fellows and Community Fellows.
• Serve as the day-to-day contact for fellows, mentors, and partner organizations.
• Track fellow deliverables and milestones across the year and manage program documentation.
• Coordinate travel, lodging, catering, and space reservations for in-person events, following institutional procedures.
• Help design and facilitate mentorship touches between senior purpose scientists and fellows.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organization

Budgeting

Event logistics

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

MS Office/Google Workspace

Scheduling tools

Survey tools

Job description

Translational Fellowship in Purpose Science

PSiX, in collaboration with Purpose Commons and with support from a competitive grant from the Bezos Family Foundation, is launching the Translational Fellowship in Purpose Science. This fellowship is a three-year initiative pairing early-career faculty (Research Fellows) with youth-serving practitioners (Community Fellows) to advance the field of purpose science. Each annual cohort moves through a structured one-year experience of in-person convenings, monthly virtual sessions, mentorship, and collaborative research and evaluation projects.

The Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange is committed to rigorous and pioneering research and fostering an innovative ecosystem that accelerates the translation of purpose insights into real-world solutions. Our partnership with the Purpose Commons, and others is united in a common mission: dedication to transformative advancements in the science of purpose. By conducting rigorous research on purpose in life and accelerating its translation to individuals, organizations, and communities, we strive to catalyze an ecosystem that generates knowledge and empowers flourishing through purposeful living. PSiX aspires to be the preeminent global hub for purpose research and transformative discovery. PSiX advances the field of purpose science through research, translation, and community partnership. The Translational Fellowship in Purpose Science is made possible by a competitive grant from the Bezos Family Foundation.

The Program Coordinator will work closely with the PSiX Director and team to plan, run, and continuously improve this fellowship over its full three-year, multi-cohort arc. Key tasks involve managing operational, logistical, and administrative goals of the fellowship that allow fellows to focus on the work itself.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• 2+ years of program or project coordination experience, ideally in a research, higher education, fellowship, or nonprofit setting.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Key Qualifications That Contribute To Your Success

• Strong project management skills, with experience running multi-part programs involving multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable communicating with faculty, community practitioners, and funders alike.
• High degree of organization, discretion, and follow-through; comfortable managing budgets and reimbursement processes.
• Proficiency with standard office and collaboration software (e.g., MS Office/Google Workspace, scheduling and survey tools).
• Experience with event/meeting logistics, including in-person convenings and virtual programming.
• Familiarity with (or strong interest in) research administration, grant-funded program operations, or academic environments.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a Director on strategic decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or other advanced degrees.
• Genuine interest in purpose science, youth development, or translational research.

Position Responsibilities

Program Design & Coordination (30%)

• Partner with the Director to design and refine the fellowship structure, timeline, and materials
• for each incoming cohort.
• Support outreach, recruitment, and selection of Research Fellows and Community Fellows each cycle, including managing applications and coordinating review/interview processes.
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for fellows, mentors (Lab of Labs researchers), and
• Community Fellow partner organizations.
• Track fellow deliverables and milestones across the year (co-designed research/evaluation projects, pilot interventions, protocols, and final summaries).
• Maintain program documentation, records, and files for each cohort to support continuity and
• institutional knowledge across the three-year grant period.
• Supporting the director in identifying, scheduling, and arranging invited speakers for each monthly cohort session and organize materials, including review processes for the Director or others (both in advance of each meeting and as they end, as well as between cohorts).

Convenings, Training & Events (25%)

• Coordinate logistics for multiple in-person convenings, including the BCTR Translational Research Summer Institute and the fall Community Engagement Intensive.
• Plan and staff the annual Purpose Jam convening in partnership with the Director and Purpose Commons.
• Schedule and manage logistics/technology for monthly virtual cohort sessions covering purpose research, youth development, grant-writing, teaching, and professional development.
• Coordinate travel, lodging, catering, and space reservations for in-person events, in line with Cornell's standard procedures.
• Help design and facilitate mentorship touchpoints between senior purpose scientists and fellows.

Financial & Administrative Support (20%)

• Process fellow stipends, honoraria, and travel reimbursements in accordance with Cornell's procedures, and track spending against the Bezos Family Foundation grant budget.
• Coordinate the intake, review logistics, and communication around fellows' course development and research grant proposals.
• Support the Director with grant reporting requirements, budget tracking, and other funder deliverables over the life of the three-year grant.
• Manage fellowship correspondence, offer letters, and acceptance paperwork for each cohort.
• Provide start-up administrative support to the Director and the PSiX team as we assess support needs for 2027.

Communications & Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Administer fellow and partner surveys and feedback loops, and help translate results into program improvements year over year.
• Develop and maintain fellowship program content for the PSiX website and communications channels, in partnership with communications staff.
• Prepare summaries, updates, and materials for internal leadership, funders, and prospective fellows.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director in support of the fellowship's goals, as well as PSiX.

Other position-related responsibilities (5%)

• Participate in projects or other duties as assigned with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
• Completion of any university required compliance trainings.

University Job Title

Research Support Spec II

Job Family

Academic Support

Level

F

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$72,209.00 - $77,625.00

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Contract College

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-08-17