Program Lead: Tufts Summer Research Experience

The Tufts Pre-College team is currently seeking a Program Lead to assist in managing our 6-week Tufts Summer Research Experience. This highly competitive program offers high school juniors and seniors an exciting opportunity to gain exposure to real labs, complete a team research project, and learn many foundational skills required to conduct scientific research. Through workshops, guest speakers, field trips, a research poster session and more, students will not only gain project-based research experience: they will better understand how to navigate the complex research ecosystem at a university like Tufts, and in a city like Cambridge/ Boston. Students will be divided into small cohorts, lead by Teaching Fellows. The Program Lead will be responsible for the overall coordination of the program: schedule creation, program logistics and operations, admissions, etc.

Time Commitment

The Tufts Summer Research Experience will take place for 6 weeks during the summer from July 6th to August 14th, 2026, with students primarily participating in their cohorts in the mornings, and group programming in the afternoons.

Program Planning-

The Program Lead can expect to work an average of 3-4 hours per week during the spring semester for pre-program planning. Planning work includes mandatory monthly Program Lead meetings and 3-4 hours/week of flexible days/times for other planning work.

• Total Program Planning: 2-5 hours/ week on program planning; 40 hours estimated during the spring term.

Programming Implementation-

The Tufts Summer Research Experience will take place for 6 weeks during the summer from July 5th to August 14th, 2026, with students participating in their research cohort in the mornings, and full-group programming in the afternoons. The Program Lead can expect to work about 15 hours per week on campus in the summer for 'on-site' afternoon programming during the program hours.

• Program Dates: July 6th to August 14th, 2026
• Program Hours:
  
  
  
  • Typically Monday-Friday 12-4:30pm
  • 1-2 additional hours/week possible depending on program needs.
  • Please note that program implementation hours are based on the Medford campus.
  
  
  
  
• Total Program Implementation: 150 hours estimated

Program Close-

After the program concludes, the program lead can expect an additional 5 hours dedicated to finalize student grades, a program debrief, and closing out the program. These hours can be completed remotely.

• Total Program Close: 5 hours estimated

Compensation

The Program Lead will be paid $32/hour for all hours worked, inclusive of all program planning and program implementation.

Responsibilities

As a Program Lead, your duties include, but are not limited to:

Program Planning and Preparation

• Admissions: review applications, correspond with applicants regarding incorrect information / errors, manage faculty application review process, post admission letters, follow-up with students regarding lab placement, administer lab changes (if necessary)
• Marketing: review of marketing materials provided by Director of Marketing, website update suggestions, personal outreach (email and phone calls) to leads and applicants, helps develop social media posts and reposts relevant content, writes updates to parents and students during the program
• Hiring/Payroll: confirms guest speakers, confirms library time, supports recruitment and hiring of Fellows (as necessary),
• Program Materials Prep: places students into cohorts, sets-up CANVAS, zoom sessions, other resources as needed
• Program Planning: plan workshops, lab visits, field trips and speaker series, workshops, as well as any l opening and closing activities, including poster presentations

Operations

• Communications: Acts as main point of contact for program duration, and handle communication with students and families throughout the program
• Schedule all necessary staff trainings
• Workshop sessions: develops and runs sessions with full oversight during program hours; liaises with staff, faculty and guest speakers who are participating in the sessions
• TRE Poster Session: Oversees planning for and development of student poster presentations
• Orientation / Closing: develops and participates in opening day and closing day activities, including poster presentations

As part of this role, the program lead will work in close collaboration with the Senior Program Administrator of Tufts Pre-College Programs.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills (written and verbal)
• Adept critical thinking, process development, and operationalization. Strong attention to detail
• Excellent project management skills, prioritization abilities and navigation of tight deadlines
• Proficiency and previous experience with Microsoft Office Suite strongly preferred
• Previous experience in research and/or program management preferred
• Previous experience working with high school aged students preferred

Application and Selection Process

• Please fill out the online application form LINK by or before Monday, November 3, 2025.
• Starting November 3, the hiring committee will review the applications and invite selected candidates to a 30-minute Zoom meeting to further discuss their interest in the program.
• Once the selection process is completed, the decision (either positive or negative) will be promptly communicated via email to each candidate.
• This position will run from December 2025 - August 2026

For questions about the program or application process, please contact the Tufts Pre-College Programs Senior Program Administrator, Kayla Roy at kayla.roy@tufts.edu