Graduate Field Assistant, Physics

APPLY

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

About the Department of Physics

The Department of Physics is renowned for the strength and versatility of its program, the breadth of its training and the reach of its influence is unsurpassed in many areas. Famous for its Nobel Prize-winning work in low-temperature physics and theoretical astrophysics, current research areas include high-energy particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics, accelerator physics, X-ray physics, physics education research, biological physics, soft condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and nanostructure physics. Located in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Physics Department is one of the largest units in the college and consists of 40 tenure-track faculty, approximately 180 PhD students, 70 undergraduate majors, multiple research centers, and many research collaborations at Cornell and around the world.

Learn more about The Department of Physics here: https://physics.cornell.edu/about-us

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to fill the position of Graduate Field Assistant (GFA) in our prestigious Graduate Field of Physics. As the GFA, you will provide essential administrative support to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and assist graduate students in various aspects of their academic journey. Your role will be crucial in maintaining the department's reputation for fostering a supportive, inclusive, positive, and collegial community.

Responsibilities:

• Offer guidance, support, and policy compliance assistance to graduate students in the field of physics.
• Compile, input, and maintain graduate student records using multiple database systems.
• Track the progress of each student towards their Ph.D., providing regular updates and progress reports to faculty advisors and the DGS.
• Coordinate the graduate admissions process using the CollegeNET online system, managing approximately 600+ applicants annually.
• Organize and update admissions records using a large, complex database system.
• Provide essential records for admissions committee meetings and facilitate twice-per-week hybrid meetings during admissions season.
• Plan, oversee, and orchestrate graduate field events such as the spring recruitment visit weekend, orientation and TA training, and the graduate student commencement ceremony.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Graduate School, members of the Graduate Field of Physics, and admissions/administrative personnel in related fields.
• Contribute content to the department's website and ensure accurate and up-to-date information is available.
• Prepare, edit, and revise the department's graduate recruitment and program materials in collaboration with the DGS.

This is a regular, in-person, full-time position. The GFA will work 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and will be eligible for benefits.

If you are an administrative professional with excellent communications and relationship building skills ready to represent a renowned department, we encourage you to apply! A resume and a cover letter are required for full consideration.

What We Need

All applicants must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate degree and 2 years to 4 years or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks involving a high degree of complexity and confidentiality.
• Strong computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Outlook (mail and Calendaring), web page management, and managing hybrid meeting formats.
• Ability to work independently in busy environment and function effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Proficiency in using various database systems and online platforms for record management.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong editing and proofing abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, and administrative personnel, with a customer service mentality and approach.
• Good judgment and ability to organize shifting priorities.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Familiarity with graduate admissions processes and academic program support.
• Proficiency in Drupal website content management systems, FileMaker Pro, Smart Sheets, and Zoom

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York, and is fully onsite. The position is expected to work 35 hours per week. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No Visa Sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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 (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.