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Biophysics Graduate Program Manager

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell us about a time you had to tell a faculty member no, or point out that a request did not follow policy.

What they are checking: Whether they can hold the line on policy with senior faculty while keeping the relationship good.

How do you prioritize when the retreat, a grant report and a stream of student questions all land in the same week?

What they are checking: Organization and calm under competing deadlines in a one-person program office.

What would you do

A student comes to you anxious because they are behind on a program milestone. How do you handle that meeting?

What they are checking: Whether they can advise students with care while holding to program requirements.

Walk us through how you would plan first-year orientation for a graduate program.

What they are checking: Event logistics skills and attention to what new students actually need.

How would you run graduate recruiting weekend so visiting students get a true sense of the program?

What they are checking: Ability to plan recruiting events that help the program compete for strong students.

A student tells you about a conflict with their advisor. What do you do?

What they are checking: Judgment in handling sensitive student concerns and knowing when to escalate.

About the work

How do you stay current on Graduate School policies, and how do you explain them to faculty who did not read the update?

What they are checking: Whether they can be the policy expert that both students and faculty rely on.

What do you know about NIH T32 training grants, and how would you help with reporting?

What they are checking: Familiarity with training grant data and reporting that the program depends on for funding.

Describe a time you pulled student data together for a review or report. What tools did you use?

What they are checking: Data extraction and analysis skills needed for periodic reviews and grant reporting.

How do you keep student records accurate when many people touch them?

What they are checking: Attention to detail with records that affect students' progress and degree completion.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Graduate Program Manager Job Summary: The Biophysics Graduate Program Manager has responsibilities in multiple areas related to the day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the program. This position advises graduate students directly and is the main point of contact for students as they move through programmatic milestones. In addition, the program manager acts as a subject matter expert on all graduate student-related policies and processes and is the point of contact between the Biophysics program and the Graduate School. This position plans and conducts logistics for several events each year, including first-year student intake/orientation, the program’s annual retreat, and graduate recruiting. Other responsibilities include maintaining student records, tracking student progress, extracting student data, and providing analysis when needed or during periodic reviews. The Graduate Program Manager collaborates with the Biophysics Program Director, Associate Program Director, and Associate Director for Bock Laboratories in the administration of the program, the associated NIH T32 training grant, and in supporting the activities of the program’s committees (Steering, Admissions and Curriculum). Key Job Responsibilities: Responsible for maintaining student records, tracking progress, extracting student data and providing analysis as needed and during periodic reviews Oversees admissions and recruiting process, including managing the review of admissions applications and planning recruiting/interview visits for prospective students • Manages the response, support, and advocacy for graduate students while continuously improving the student experience and overall graduate program • Oversees programming, services, and events to promote professional development and academic success • Provides comprehensive advising services promoting graduate student success, retention, and degree completion. Advises on programs, graduate education, and university policies, processes, and procedures. Monitors degree progress and assists students in navigating resources and systems throughout the student lifecycle from matriculation to degree completion • Maintains compliance with graduate program(s), school/college, and university requirements and technology systems related to admissions, assessment, academic degree progress/requirements, and program review. Makes policy and procedure recommendations and/or changes Maintains and updates the program handbook and Biophysics website • Oversees staff and/or graduate program functions • Serves as the expert resource for applicants, current students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders of an academic program Department: IMV Administration Compensation: Minimum annual rate of $62,419 Required Qualifications: • Strong written and oral communication skills • A high degree of professionalism, sound judgment, confidentiality, and flexibility • Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to both work in a team and independently • Strong attention to detail, personal initiative, and ability to meet deadlines Preferred Qualifications: • Master's degree in a relevant field • At least 1 year of experience, preferably in higher education • Familiarity with the scope and purpose of STEM graduate training • Experience with event planning and logistics • Strong analytical skills for interpreting policies, managing budgets, and handling data • Computer skills: familiarity with student record systems, graduate admissions portals, Qualtrics, and file hosting/sharing systems and proficiency with Excel Education: Bachelor's degree How to Apply: Please click the Apply Now box to start the application process. Please upload the following documents: 1. A current resume or CV highlighting your experience, training, and/or credentials relevant to the position. 2. A cover letter describing your interest in the position, summarizing your relevant experience, and explaining how your background aligns with the requirements of the role. Please note, there will only be one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field. Applications submitted without both documents may still be considered, but both a cover letter and resume are required to guarantee consideration. Contact Information: Christopher Johnson christopher.j.johnson@wisc.edu Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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