Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies in Engineering Sciences

Harvard University

$100K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in electrical engineering, environmental engineering, engineering design, or related field required.
  • Demonstrated ability to teach, train, advise, or mentor undergraduates or early-career professionals.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for building relationships and fostering an inclusive environment.
  • Exceptional organizational skills for managing complex academic and administrative processes.
  • Proven commitment to supporting academic and professional development of students.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary academic advisor for Electrical & Computer Engineering and Environmental Science & Engineering students.
  • Champion engineering programs at recruitment and orientation events as an ambassador.
  • Mentor students in career development, guiding towards resources and opportunities.
  • Teach or co-teach one undergraduate engineering course per semester.
  • Support student skills development as co-instructor on independent study and experiential learning courses.
  • Oversee program operations, student progress, and maintain curriculum documentation.
  • Drive pedagogical innovation by collaborating with faculty on course content and teaching methodologies.

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave.
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
  • Retirement plans with university contributions.
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources.
  • Support for families and caregivers.
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
  • Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Summary:

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) seeks qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (ADUS) in Engineering Sciences with a concurrent dependent lectureship in Engineering Sciences (reflecting the course-instruction component of this 100% staff role). The ADUS for Engineering Sciences serves as a primary advisor, strategic leader, and a key instructor for our undergraduate Electrical & Computer Engineering and Environmental Science & Engineering programs. Reporting academically to the Area Chair for these concentrations and administratively to the Senior Director for Undergraduate Education, the ADUS works collaboratively with faculty and staff leadership to cultivate a vibrant, supportive, and innovative undergraduate engineering community.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Undergraduate Advising:
  • Serve as the primary academic advisor for students navigating degree options within the Electrical & Computer Engineering and Environmental Science & Engineering programs, helping students to align their academic choices with their long-term goals. Specifically, this includes students within the Electrical Engineering SB, Engineering Sciences AB - Electrical and Computer Engineering Track, Environmental Science & Engineering AB, Engineering Sciences SB - Environmental Science & Engineering track. The ADUS may be assigned additional advisees from the other undergraduate engineering concentrations.
  • Champion the engineering programs at recruitment and orientation events, acting as a committed ambassador for admitted and current prospective students.
  • Mentor students, in coordination with relevant offices at SEAS and Harvard College, to help bridge the gap between their academics and career, by actively guiding students toward campus resources and impactful research opportunities, industry internships, and post-graduate careers.
  • Provide academic advising and mentorship on policy to admitted Harvard students, pre-concentrators, and concentrators.

Undergraduate Teaching:
  • Lead hands-on, project-based learning by teaching or co-teaching one undergraduate engineering course per semester as assigned, focusing on the undergraduate engineering design curriculum (ES 55, ES 100hf), but with the potential for other disciplinary courses.
  • Support student cultivation of real-world skills as the co-instructor on record for the independent study (ES 91r) and experiential study (EXPSTDY 1r) courses.

Academic Administration:
  • Oversee programmatic operations and student progress for current and prospective concentrators in the Engineering Sciences programs by managing degree audit records, approving concentration declarations, and reviewing student course petitions.
  • Maintain the public and internal face of the concentrations by keeping curriculum documentation, digital resources, and study plans current and accessible.
  • Play a key role in program quality and governance by supporting the ABET accreditation processes for the Electrical Engineering SB and Engineering Sciences SB concentrations, and serving as an active member of the Undergraduate Engineering Committee responsible for SEAS' undergraduate engineering policies.

Additional Duties May Include:
  • Drive pedagogical innovation by collaborating with faculty to develop cutting-edge course content, key laboratory modules, and modern teaching methodologies.
  • Empower student innovation by providing mentorship and guidance to relevant engineering student clubs and competitive teams.


Working Conditions:

The work is performed in an office environment. See Additional Information section for information about the on-campus schedule.

Physical Requirements:

No significant physical requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:
  • A Ph.D. in electrical engineering, environmental engineering, engineering design or a closely related field is required.
  • To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter and a resume or CV.
  • Please refer to the Additional Information section for more information.


Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Demonstrated ability to teach, train, advise, or mentor undergraduate students or early-career professionals, with a commitment to supporting their academic and professional development.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships, and foster an inclusive, supportive, and engaging educational environment.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage complex academic and administrative processes, including accreditation, program assessment, and curricular or student tracking.


Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 standard hours per week. The regular on-campus schedule during academic semesters varies from 4-5 days a week, depending on teaching schedule and other responsibilities. The schedule may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education
  • Other Information:
    • To apply, candidates must submit a cover letter and resume or CV.
    • In addition, please submit a list of publications, and a statement of teaching philosophy and interests.
    • Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation, including at least one that addresses teaching ability.
    • This position includes an unpaid dependent lectureship that runs concurrently with the salaried position.


Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

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