Director of Thesis and Dissertation Support Services
As we've done for 125 years, NC State University continues to transform lives on campus, in North Carolina, across our nation, and throughout the world every day. With more than 34,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, NC State is a comprehensive public research university globally recognized for leadership in developing new knowledge, educating the next generation for the use of that knowledge, and applying that knowledge for the benefit of society.
Position Number: 00103136
Primary Function of Organization Unit: With a focus on solving real-world problems through innovative research, NC State's graduate programs are committed to transforming graduate education to prepare the best and brightest students as leaders who can tackle the critical issues that challenge our state, nation, and world. Our goal is to produce career-ready students with a true competitive edge. We offer master's and doctoral programs in a full range of traditional disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary programs that anticipate market trends and respond to national needs.
Essential Job Duties: To be a part of a multi-pronged effort to achieve NC State’s and its Graduate School’s goal of enhancing the success of students writing theses and dissertations. Specifically, the position will focus on increasing thesis and dissertation completion rates and decreasing the time it takes students to obtain their degrees. Responsibilities include designing and leading workshops, dissertation boot camps, and other events that advance students’ work on completing their theses and dissertations; providing coaching in writing for individual students; partnering with the Counseling Center and other university units to guide and encourage dissertation support groups; and working with faculty to improve mentoring in writing theses and dissertations. The person in this position will be a part of a thriving team in our Graduate School providing professional development for graduate students. This position will report to an Associate Dean of the Graduate School.
Minimum Education/Experience: Applicants should have a doctoral degree or be an advanced ABD in English or a related field. If ABD, candidate must have a strong prospect of successful defense by August 15, 2013.
Department Required Skills : • An advanced working knowledge of the genre of the dissertation and its variants and of research methods and modes of writing in the empirical sciences and engineering. • Outstanding organizational skills and ability to balance multiple priorities • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with diverse individuals on a variety of issues • Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong presentation skills • Strong initiative, excellent judgment and an ability to function independently • Ability to work effectively in teams; experience planning and working on shared projects collaboratively to achieve agreed-upon outcomes • Ability to critically analyze information, synthesize key points, and report/apply findings clearly and concisely • Knowledge of graduate education and the career support needs of graduate students, including career opportunities in academia, industry, nonprofit, government, and entrepreneurship
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education: Exceptional candidates with a specialization or experience in rhetoric and writing and/or writing in the disciplines are preferred, along with research experience and publications in scholarly journals. Experience in preparing and leading workshops in a university setting and working with graduate students is a plus. Ph.D. in English or related field
Necessary Licenses and Certifications: N/A
AA/EOE: AA/EOE. In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation or genetic information. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (919) 515-3148. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified at www.wes.org. Degree must be obtained prior to start date.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
