Graduate Student Advising Officer Materials Science & Engineering

Graduate Student Advising Officer (5157C) – Materials Science & Engineering

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 makes 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.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is one of seven academic departments within the College of Engineering. At present the department has 19 core faculty members, 1 lecturer, 2 adjunct faculty, 13 emeriti faculty, 3 joint faculty from other departments who actively collaborate on teaching and research, and approximately 50 visiting faculty researchers and post‑doctoral fellows. Many of the faculty members have multiple affiliations, both on campus and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

This brings added impetus for quality student services. Additionally, Materials Science and Engineering administers the Applied Science and Technology (AST) graduate program. AST is an interdisciplinary program, with 74 affiliated faculty from departments across campus. The student population includes approximately 150 graduate MSE students, 44 AST students and 120 undergraduate students engaged in a curriculum distinctive for its multiple laboratory courses and interdisciplinary character.

This position is under the supervision of the department manager and may supervise. This position is responsible for offering a wide range of student services duties and responsibilities in support of the graduate degrees in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) and the Applied Science & Technology (AST) Graduate Program. Additionally, the position includes responsibilities such as providing undergraduate student services support, possible staff supervision, course scheduling, and coordinating the department's involvement in a national accreditation process.

ABET certifies the academic quality of engineering programs in the U.S. through a rigorous assessment process, necessitating ongoing attention to all undergraduate courses taught in MSE.

First Review Date:
January 1, 2026. Open until filled.

40% Academic Advising and Student Support

• Applies advanced student services concepts and provides the most complex student services to the department's management, faculty and students. Administers the graduate counsel for the MS/PhD, PhD, 5th‑year BS/MS, and Professional Master’s of Engineering programs in Materials Science and Engineering, as well as the MS and PhD programs in the Applied Science & Technology (AST) Graduate Group. Documents and maintains grad student policy, in consultation with faculty and graduate division.
• Oversees student academic advising including analysis and policy development for unit issues and processes. Identifies, solves and/or refers for resolution of intricate student issues and personal crises; responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and…