Graduate Program Manager, Neuroscience (5157C) 86593 About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), Integrative Biology (IB) and Neuroscience (NEU) are among the largest academic departments at UC Berkeley. By several measures (including number of faculty and students, budget, and assigned square feet), these departments are larger than many UCB colleges and schools. The three departments represent over 186 faculty FTE (including Adjuncts, Professors of the Graduate School, active emeriti and 21 HHMI professors); 140 Researchers and Specialists; 185 post-doctoral researchers; 375 graduate students; 60 department staff members; and total state and extramural payroll of approximately 1450 (including Graduate Student Instructors, Graduate Student Researchers and research staff). Financial resources include approximately $90M in annual extramural funding (which accounts for over half of the total sponsored research awards in the College of Letters & Science) and over $91M other fund sources. The department has 1,800 declared undergraduate majors (the largest majors on the Berkeley campus) and a total annual enrollment in classes of ~20,000. Department personnel are currently housed in eight buildings located in three widely separated parts of the campus.

Position Summary

The Graduate Program Manager runs the day-to-day operations of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and works with faculty Program Director and other program faculty in strategic planning and implementation of new program initiatives. Provides a comprehensive range of student and programmatic services to the Neuroscience Graduate Program's students and faculty. This includes academic advising, management of recruitment, admissions, financial aid, evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, organization of student orientation, engaging in and organizing fall outreach, and serving as lead for the Grad Program office overseeing recruitment and other special events, such as commencement, seminars, and grad program engagement in annual retreat. Provides analysis, advice, and assistance to Program Director, faculty, and students in these areas. Tracks program-related data for training grant and timely reporting to federal agencies. Manages an overall annual budget of over $1.5 million. Acts as primary liaison on all programmatic matters to campus central units.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 15, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising:
Provides full range of student academic advising including analysis and policy development.
Continually reviews students' progress through degree, identifies and refers for resolution of intricate student issues/grievances such as misconduct, disputed issues, and students' personal crises; recommends petition exceptions.
Together with the Neuroscience Faculty Equity Advisor, reviews and determines appropriate actions regarding student reports submitted through the Neuroscience Student Climate and Incident Reporting Form.
Determines barriers, distractions, and complications affecting student academic success, helps students recognize these key non-academic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for additional counseling and/or assistance from other units.

Financial Aid:
Develops policy and strategies for recruitment and retention of students through financial aid programs.
Recommends resolution of sensitive, specialized, and/or complex financial aid issues.
Administers departmental awards, block grants, and restricted funds.
Advises faculty program director on available funds for entering students based on funding from all sources.
Ensures security of private information.
Analyzes student data and implements procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and timely delivery of financial aid.
Oversees internal operations and participates in formulating financial aid policy and fund utilization strategies to ensure accurate, efficient, and timely delivery of student aid that is in compliance with regulations and supports departmental objectives; manages program's yearly budget of over $1.5 million.

Recruitment and Admissions:
Advises graduate program faculty and students on outreach strategies for potential student applicants and helps identify targeted populations to meet organization's goals; manages outreach activities such as underrepresented minority student fairs and conferences; advises prospective students on program requirements and application/admission processes; coordinates, reviews and advises program director and other faculty on received application materials; utilizes in-depth knowledge of organization's admissions criteria, helps rank applicants for admissions; organizes faculty interviews and oversees coordination of campus recruitment visits, including social events, graduate student presentations, etc.
As a participant on the yearly admissions committee, coordinates, organizes and manages the entire application and admissions process, and oversees recruitment.
Responsible for ensuring appropriate recruitment of students from disadvantaged backgrounds for entering cohorts.
Manages the student orientation session during Neuro Camp.
Oversees student enrollment, fee payments, records, grades, student data management/security; has full proficiency in student service systems and related programs.

Neuroscience Graduate Program:
Provides and makes recommendations for the ongoing operation and improvement of graduate program curriculum; admissions process; events and training for new graduate student orientation.
Advises faculty program director and graduate advisers on the formulation of programmatic policy on areas needing clarification and identifying solutions; analyzes the consequences of organization's academic policies and recommends new or changed policies; recommends solutions to organization's problems without precedent; in charge of maintaining and updating program's Web presence; coordinates internal and external program reviews.
Participates in professional student advisor committees, courses, workshops, and conferences both on and off campus.

Program Lead:
Guides a full-time staff member (Neuro Graduate Program Coordinator) responsible for the coordination of graduate program events such as Recruitment, Neuro Camp/Orientation, Thesis Symposia, Commencement, GSI assignments and hiring, Student Invited Speaker Series, student events and programming, enrollment management and scheduling, and PhD program administrative processes such as travel and entertainment reimbursements, collecting and tracking student and alumni data, and other operational support.

Training Grant:
Support students appointed to the Neuroscience T32 training grant including communications with students; monitoring training progress including those within the Neuroscience program and in other programs; gathering data for annual reporting; assisting gathering data for 5-year renewals.
Required Qualifications

Advanced knowledge of advising techniques and excellent customer service skills.
Advanced knowledge of Higher Education, Graduate Division and program policies and procedures related to graduate studies, graduate student financial support, graduate student appointments, and student services.
Advanced ability to identify and analyze complex problems - systemic, procedural, and human - and devise solutions; high level quantitative skills.
Interpersonal, active listening, negotiating and facilitation skills.
Ability to be resourceful, original, innovative and flexible.
Excellent communication skills including verbal, written, one-on-one and group.
Multicultural competencies; knowledge and experience in working and interacting with diverse constituents such as faculty, staff, students, applicants, and the general public.
Advanced skills in project and events development and management; organizational effectiveness.
Ability to multi-task, prioritize and operate in a fast-paced, multiple deadline environment; developed ability to pay attention to detail.
Knowledge of Higher Ed-specific computer application programs used in graduate student affairs, Higher Ed and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
Knowledge of and/or ability to gain knowledge of university travel and entertainment policies and procedures.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Preferred Qualifications

Background in neuroscience, life sciences or psychology is a plus, but not required.
Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,600.00 - $100,800.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for full UC benefits.