Graduate Student Advising Officer Materials Science & Engineering

About Berkeley

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 make 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. 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.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is one of seven academic departments within the College of Engineering. It has 19 core faculty members, 1 lecturer, 2 adjunct faculty, 13 emeriti faculty, 3 joint faculty and approximately 50 visiting faculty researchers and post‑doctoral fellows. The department also administers the Applied Science and Technology (AS&T) graduate program. The student population includes approximately 150 graduate MSE students, 44 AS&T students and 120 undergraduate students.

The first review date for this job is January 1 2026; the position is open until filled.

• 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 and Technology (AS&T) 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 faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination or harassment. Makes themselves available and accessible for in‑person consultation.
• Recommends petition exceptions. Tracks and manages all aspects of the student degree completion progress and maintains detailed and accurate student academic records. This includes preliminary exams, qualifying exams, courses for major and minor requirements and process for thesis and dissertation completion/filling. Determines barriers, distractions, and complications affecting a student’s academic progress, helps students recognize these key non‑academic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for counseling and/or assistance from other units.
• Manages student enrollment, fees, records, grades, data management/security, student service systems and related issues for the unit.
• Advises department/college/school management regarding enhancement of the organization’s strategic plan for career counseling and placement services. Utilizing an in‑depth knowledge of the field, counsel students on post‑degree employment opportunities and practices. Responsible for interpreting campus policies and advising students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, and issues regarding discrimination.

• Administers and coordinates the graduate admissions cycle for over 550 applications in MSE and over 80 applications in AS&T. Liaises with the Fung Institute staff on the Masters of Engineering (MEng) requirements and evaluation of MSE MEng applications.
• Reviews graduate admission policy and procedures within the department and Graduate Group for compliance with university standards. Corresponds with prospective students who have complex questions and interpret university/department and international standards. Evaluates both international and domestic applications to determine if applicants meet admissions criteria.
• Coordinates, reviews and advises chair/dean and faculty on…