Wanted: Applicants for Research Administration Jobs
First-ever fair highlights BU openings; referral bonus offered
BU hopes a first-of-its-kind jobs fair for research administration will help fill about 85 such openings at the University. Photo by Cydney Scott
Are you interested in research that advances human knowledge, but don’t feel bench science is your forte? With about 85 job openings in research administration, BU is holding its first-ever career fair for such jobs tomorrow.
The Research Career Fair and Networking Event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. in the George Sherman Union Ballroom tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22. An hour-long panel featuring research administrators begins at 5:30 and will include time for questions.
In another effort to find qualified candidates, the University is offering faculty and staff a referral bonus. Until May 31, employees who refer a job candidate for one of the open positions are eligible for a $1,000 referral bonus if the candidate is hired and completes six months of employment.
BU “is a world-renowned research institution, and the innovative work accomplished here is only possible with committed and valued research administration staff,” says Gloria Waters, vice president and associate provost for research. “This fair will put a spotlight on the behind-the-scenes work of University research and highlight the many career opportunities across both campuses.”
“I think of it as the work behind the breakthroughs,” says C. J. Lehr, program director of research communication and documentation. “We need high-quality people to fill those jobs,” which include entry-level and senior leadership posts, “from grants administration to animal care to compliance/regulatory work.”
“People don’t always think about research administration as an option,” she says. “It’s a good career path for people who maybe studied STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] fields, but then realized the lab work wasn’t for them.…The administration/support path can be really rewarding.”
Panelists speaking at tomorrow’s fair are Larry Vintinner of the Medical Campus Laboratory Animal Science Center, Kevin Tuohey of Environmental Health and Safety, Cassandra Williams of Research Compliance, and Andrew Freed of Sponsored Programs.
Waters’ office and the University’s Human Resources department are sponsoring the fair. Waters recently emailed the community about the referral bonus; eligible openings are marked with “^ZZ” at the BU Human Resources website, and questions about the referral program may be emailed to EmpRef@bu.edu.
The BU Research Career Fair is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the George Sherman Union Ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave. RSVP requested.
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