Human Resources Administrator

Primary Responsibility:

The Human Resources Administrator (HRA) serves as a key strategic partner in the delivery of human resources services with comprehensive responsibility for personnel matters within the Department of Chemistry. The HR Administrator will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources practices and processes including but not limited to employee relations, recruitment, rewards and recognition, onboarding, diversity and inclusion, and performance management. The HR Administrator will have a solid understanding of HR functions, excellent communication skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Characteristic Duties:

  • Provides input into the strategy and annual goal-setting processes with DLCI Leadership on strategic HR matters such as organizational design, workforce planning, and talent management.    
  • Actively engage in developing and supporting an inclusive work environment. Continuously evaluates the work environment and makes suggestions for improvements. Actively seeks ways to recruit, hire, retain and manage a diverse workforce. Conducst climate surveys to gain a pulse on staff community.
  • Provides guidance to faculty, managers, and employees on employee relations issues, interpersonal issues and people management responsibilities. Independently mediates complaints and resolves disciplinary issues; ensures compliance with MIT policies and applicable employment laws.  Engages School/Area/DLCI leadership and Central HR on complex employee relations issues.
  • Leads the hiring process for Chemistry staff in collaboration with Central HR, School, Department, and hiring managers. Hiring activities include screening candidates, participating in interviews, recommending candidates, checking references, initiating background checks, developing and extending salary offers. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and MIT policies.
  • Ensures the onboarding of staff. Performs exit interviews and relays feedback to management.  
  • In collaboration with managers, writes job descriptions for employees in the Department of Chemistry. Leads process with faculty, managers, the Director of Administration and Finance, and the School of Science Dean’s Office on requested promotional cases, market equity, and off-cycle pay increases for staff. Regularly updates job requirements and job descriptions for positions.
  • Participates in faculty search and tenure/promotion processes.
  • Oversees complex academic appointments, including securing/processing visas and providing relocation assistance.
  • Partners with and makes recommendations to Compensation Office on job evaluations, pay decisions and market/equity reviews.
  • Oversees Performance Management and Annual Salary Review (ASR) processes for Administrative Staff, Support Staff, Sponsored Research Staff, and Other Academic Staff. Provides guidance and ensures that faculty, managers and staff have the appropriate training and resources to participate in and/or conduct performance reviews, set performance goals, and create professional development plans.
  • Oversees the processing of, approves, and audits HR transactions such as hires, transfers, leaves of absence, and salary changes for faculty, staff, and researchers.
  • Serves as main point of contact for Collective Bargaining Agreement related issues. 
  • Ensures HR activities, records, and forms are in compliance with applicable laws or guidelines. Performs audits. Creates and maintains confidential human resources files and databases. 
  • Manages sabbaticals, junior faculty leaves, and parental teaching relief. Processes childcare reimbursements.
  • Communicates HR personnel announcements.
  • Provides input on School/Area or DLCI policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Determines necessary trainings to support talent management of the School/Area or DLCI and partners with Central HR. May design and conduct trainings.
  • Handles other duties and special projects as required,

Supervision Received:

Director of Administration and Finance

Supervision Exercised:

 Senior Human Resources Representative

Contacts Required to Perform Duties:

Within the department, the individual will work closely with faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff. At MIT, they will work closely with the Human Resources Department, International Scholars Office, the School of Science Dean’s Office, Payroll and other staff in similar positions at the Institute. Outside of MIT, they will interact, when necessary, with counterparts at other universities.

Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree, at least four years of relevant experience, preferably in human resources, labor relations, employee relations and supervisory experience. PHR/SPHR certification preferred. The ability to problem solve in an expeditious manner, work independently and cross-functionally across all levels of the organization, handle confidential matters using discretion and good judgment, and tactfully interact with others; proven record of influencing without authority; outstanding service orientation; attention to detail; strong oral and written communication skills; the ability work both independently and as part of a team; comprehensive knowledge of federal and state employment laws and current Human Resources principles, practices and trends, and ability to be a resource on these matters. Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Development Coordinator 1 (Development Associate)

Position Overview:

Development Associate, reporting to the Assistant Dean for Development for the School of Science, the Development Associate will be an integral part of the fundraising team. This individual will coordinate development activities, including stewardship and events, and will actively work with our donors and identify and cultivate new donors. This role will work as a liaison with School Development Officers across the School of Science, as well as with colleagues in Resource Development, Alumni Association, faculty, DLCIs, and other campus-related groups as needed.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

60% Fundraising, Project and Data Management, and Stewardship

  • Develop and oversee from inception to completion projects consistent with engaging philanthropic support from high-priority alumni, parents, and friends. Projects might include but are not limited to, customized cultivation/stewardship (e.g. – segmenting donor pool data, individualized/tailored focus of top prospects), reporting and outreach, identification and cultivation of new donors, and personalized campus visits.
  • Work closely with the SoS Development Officer to coordinate and compile materials for the School’s stewardship efforts.
  • Track solicitations and produce pipeline reports from Advance for SoS-wide projects and initiatives.
  • Identify and manage groups of donors that need cultivation (e.g. past giving or major giving or based on reunion cycle, age, professional industry, or bequest donors).
  • Act as liaison with the Annual Fund team to track key reunion cases and high-end annual fund cases.
  • Manage and report on prospect and donor data from the Advance Database as requested.
  • Draft a variety of written materials, including donor communications and prospect briefing drafts.
  • Coordinate internal and external meetings with faculty, department heads, and work with SoS School Development Officers, as well as colleagues in Resource Development and the Alumni Association. Make recommendations in discussions of fundraising needs/priorities in prospect strategy, and work closely with the SoS Assistant Dean for Development in the development and implementation of fundraising plans for specific projects.
  • Provide additional research assistance and development support, including conducting prospect research using Web-based sources, internal server and databases, and other sources when necessary.

40% Event Support and Logistics

  • Manage logistics for personalized campus visits for alumni, friends, corporations, and donors.
  • Proactively take the initiative to stay abreast of School and MIT activities and new development projects.
  • Work closely with the SoS Events Manager on event logistics for development events, including but not limited to invitation lists, logistics coordination, event follow-up, and documentation in Advance.
  • Work closely with the SoS Communications Coordinator on events and special projects.
  • Serves as Central Trip Coordinator for the SoS Dean and Assistant Dean for development travel to a region.
  • Performs other duties as necessary.

Supervision Received:

Supervision received from the Assistant Dean for Development.

Supervision Exercised:

None

Qualifications & Skills:

REQUIRED: bachelor’s degree; two years’ relevant work experience, with preference for those with an interest in a career in development.

Excellent problem-solving, analytical, time-management, decision-making skills, customer service, interpersonal, and written and oral communication. Meticulous attention to detail; Proficient writing, editing, and proofreading skills with attention to grammar, spelling, accuracy, format, and tone. Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), virtual meeting applications, and databases.

Tact, good judgment, and discretion with confidential information. Strong initiative, motivation, and organization; ability to meet deadlines and work under tight time constraints while managing multiple projects. Ability to work independently and as a team member; comfortable working in a demanding, high-volume, and high-energy environment.

Occasional weekend and evening work and/or travel may be required.

Postdoctoral Fellows

A three-year cohort-based fellowship sponsored by the Dean’s Office. Includes an academic leadership module for all fellows. Expected start date September 2026.

REQUIRED: PhD in scientific field (granted by August 2025), scientific excellence and an exceptional ability for innovation and cross disciplinary research. 

Job #28683; apply through AcademicJobsOnline.

We seek to assemble a diverse cohort of world-class scientists who are conducting research across disciplinary boundaries. In addition to their research, fellows in this cohort will participate in leadership, mentorship and professional development training. 

Appointments may be extended with funding from the department and/or PI, subject to MIT’s policies on postdoctoral appointments and timelines.

Candidates must submit:

  • a CV;
  • 2-page research proposal, describing how their research crosses disciplinary boundaries;  
  • statement of support and commitment from the MIT faculty who will mentor the research
  • (optional) one paragraph broader impacts description of how their appointment aligns with the MIT Values Statement;

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of School of Science faculty and must be submitted online. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2024. Current postdocs at MIT and international candidates are eligible to apply.

Stipend of $85,000, relocation allowance of $5,000, research allowance of $15,000, plus employee benefits such as health insurance.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors as early as possible. Find prospective mentors and learn more about the research conducted within the school. Contact sos-dean-pd-fellowship@mit.edu with questions.