Variable Hours Officer

Position Summary

The Career Counselor will provide individualized career and professional development support to Columbia University postdoctoral researchers and associate research scientists/scholars (ARS) through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Early Career Research (OPA). Reporting to the Executive Director of OPA, the Career Counselor will offer one-on-one advising, review career-related materials, and assist researchers in exploring and preparing for academic and non-academic career pathways.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual career counseling sessions to postdoctoral researchers and associate research scientists/scholars regarding career exploration, career transitions, and professional development.
• Advise scholars on job search strategies, application materials, interviewing, networking, and career planning.
• Review and provide feedback on CVs, resumes, cover letters, teaching statements, research statements, and other professional application materials.
• Counsel scholars on career opportunities in academia, industry, government, nonprofit, and other sectors.
• Assist researchers in identifying professional development resources and opportunities aligned with their career goals.
• Independently manage all aspects of the career counseling service, including appointment scheduling, client intake, follow-up communications, recordkeeping, and ongoing engagement with scholars seeking career support.
• Maintain familiarity with University policies, resources, and programs relevant to postdoctoral and early-career researchers and refer individuals to appropriate campus services as needed.
• Document advising activities and provide periodic updates on counseling services and emerging career development needs to the Executive Director.
• Escalate to the Executive Director of OPA any significant concerns, issues, or requests raised by scholars that are outside the scope of career counseling, including matters that may require institutional guidance, referral, or follow-up by University offices.
• Provide limited support for OPA professional development initiatives and programs as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years experience providing career counseling, mentoring, coaching, advising, or professional development services to graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, researchers, or other professional populations.
• Knowledge of academic and non-academic career pathways for PhD-trained professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and counseling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently in a part-time, remote and/or hybrid environment.

Other Requirements

• This is a part-time appointment of up to 10 hours per week from July 1, 2026 through October 1, 2026.
• The position requires scheduling flexibility, including occasional availability outside standard business hours, to meet the needs of Columbia's diverse postdoctoral and research scientist/scholar community

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.