Graduate Student & Undergrad Program Administrator

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close‑knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds;

to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

The Graduate and Undergraduate Program Administrator oversees the Materials Science & Nano Engineering (MSNE) undergraduate and graduate courses and laboratories. Key responsibilities include student recruitment, administration of departmental awards, and budget management. This role supports the undergraduate program academically, working closely with the Chairs of the Graduate and Undergraduate Committees. Additionally, the administrator manages, implements, and promotes MSNE graduate programs, collaborating with faculty to develop and execute recruitment strategies for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The position also oversees graduate student recruitment and admissions, including planning and managing all aspects and budgets of the annual recruitment weekend.

The ideal candidate is a meticulous and forward‑thinking professional with a background in academic program management and experience working in a university setting. They have a proven ability to oversee admissions, maintain student records, handle financial operations, and ensure adherence to institutional policies. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem‑solving skills are essential, along with the capacity to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff.

On‑campus position:
This position is exclusively on‑site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at Rice University with some weekend and evening hours.

After a six‑month probation, this position offers the option to work remotely one day per week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

$48,700‑$60,800

* Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

• Bachelor's Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis may be substituted
• 1+ years of administrative experience in a college or university

• Ability to learn new strategies
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Data analysis skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Attention to…