Administrative Assistant - Materials Research Institute

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State's Materials Research Institute (MRI) is accepting applications for an Administrative Assistant (Intermediate Professional) to join our team. Materials Research at Penn State is truly interdisciplinary with representation from more than 400 faculty in 6 colleges and 30+ departments across the Penn State commonwealth campuses. MRI runs large-scale core instrumentation facilities that enable research success.

This position will support materials-related research and be split between two MRI centers: the Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Materials, and the Center for Biodevices as Administrative Assistant for both centers.

Responsibilities: For both centers, the successful candidate may be involved/responsible for the following:

• Provide general administrative support, including calendaring, maintaining member databases, and other clerical tasks.
• Monitor and maintain a calendar of tasks for deadlines and programming milestones for several projects simultaneously.
• Monitor budgets and financial records of the Centers.
• Conduct center communications, including email correspondence and maintaining contact lists.
• Maintain regular contact with our research partners abroad and nationally, including setting up meetings and webinars, maintaining documents, and creating and implementing project timelines.
• Contribute to the documentation of center processes and procedures.
• Communicate within Penn State and with university, government, and industry partners.
• Take the lead in organizing workshops, meetings, seminars, and other events.
• Interact regularly with teams of researchers within the centers (faculty members, staff and students) to track and communicate timelines, milestones, and updates, provide regular reporting to leadership on progress and prioritization.

The successful candidate will work with the center Directors and leadership and will support the Centers' growing effort that bridges foundational science and applications in biodevices and living materials while enabling success of faculty, researchers, and students across multiple disciplines.

Education and Experience: A minimum of a High School degree and 2+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), Adobe Creative Cloud suite, WordPress, and others, video conferencing technologies (e.g., Zoom, Teams) is required. Experience using and knowledge of creative and web communication tools, such as is required.

Experience with University software systems including SIMBA (financial system), SAP Concur (expense and travel system), and 25 Live (room booking system) is preferred. Knowledge of university administrative policies, procedures, and operations is preferred.

In addition, the candidate must have the following:

• Demonstrated excellent time management skills with multiple projects simultaneously. We are members of busy teams and count on each other to deliver high-quality work on time.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem solving, and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to engage in positive, professional, and welcoming interactions with a wide range of people.
• Problem-solving with critical thinking and in a self-starting manner, proactively addressing gaps in provided instructions.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Able to work in a team environment and able to work independently on assigned tasks.
• Clear, open, and honest communication adhering to Penn State values.

Work Arrangement: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with 2 days in person and 3 days remote.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to tuition discounts (75% discount for spouse and children), and paid holidays. Please visit https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits for more detailed information.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: