Student Program Coordinator

Student Program Coordinator

As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact. We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

AIP is seeking a Student Program Coordinator to support and enhance student engagement initiatives through the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma honor society. This position plays a key role in coordinating programs that foster student leadership, professional development, chapter engagement, and educational outreach for undergraduate physics students.

Working under limited supervision, the Program Coordinator collaborates with the Student Programs team to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve a variety of student-centered programs and initiatives. Primary responsibilities include coordinating the SPS Internship Program, supporting educational and outreach activities for student chapters, assisting with student-focused events and conferences, and maintaining effective communication with students, faculty advisors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

The Program Coordinator serves as an important connection between students, chapters, and the broader Education team, helping ensure programs are well organized, accessible, and impactful. This role requires strong program management, organizational, and communication skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities, build collaborative relationships, and deliver an exceptional experience for program participants. The successful candidate is passionate about supporting student success and identifying opportunities to strengthen programs through planning, assessment, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Coordinate Student Programs and Internship Initiatives

• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of the SPS Internship Program, including application management, applicant communications, onboarding logistics, and program support throughout the lifecycle.
• Assist with planning and implementing professional development activities for student interns throughout the program.
• Monitor program timelines, maintain accurate records, and ensure milestones and deadlines are met.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend process improvements that enhance the student experience.

Support Education, Outreach, and Student Engagement

• Assist in the development and delivery of educational, leadership, and professional development opportunities for SPS chapters and Sigma Pi Sigma members.
• Support outreach initiatives that increase student and chapter participation across programs.
• Develop resources, communications, and engagement materials that help chapters successfully implement local programming.
• Gather feedback from students, faculty advisors, and volunteers to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Coordinate Stakeholder Communications and Program Administration

• Serve as a primary point of contact for students, faculty advisors, chapter leaders, applicants, and volunteers by providing timely, professional, and responsive communication.
• Coordinate communications related to internships, educational programs, events, awards, and chapter initiatives.
• Maintain program documentation, databases, and reporting to support effective program operations.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure consistent messaging and a seamless participant experience.

Assist with Event Planning and Program Operations

• Support the planning and execution of student-focused conferences, workshops, webinars, leadership programs, and outreach events, including the Physics and Astronomy Congress (PhysCon).
• Coordinate event logistics, registration, materials, vendor communications, and participant support.
• Assist with budget tracking, project timelines, and pre and post-event assessments.
• Represent SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma at conferences, student events, and outreach activities as needed while providing outstanding service to students and stakeholders.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Communications, Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience coordinating programs, events, student initiatives, internships, or educational programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and program management skills with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, volunteers, and organizational partners.
• Experience planning events, workshops, conferences, or educational programming.
• Strong customer service mindset with a commitment to creating positive participant experiences.
• Ability to analyze feedback and recommend improvements to programs and processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience working with databases, CRM systems, or project management platforms (preferred Monday.com) preferred.
• Willingness to travel occasionally in support of student programs and conferences.

To Apply: Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences.

Compensation: $66,660.00 - $73,326.00

Working at AIP: AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC. We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more. Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

About AIP: Scientific discovery shapes our lives every day. And AIP empowers the organizations and people that make those discoveries possible.

As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.

As an Institute, AIP preserves the history of discovery so the past can guide the future. We study how research is done, who participates, and what holds people back or propels them to succeed. Our findings inform policy, practice, and decision-making across the physical sciences. We are especially focused on the next generation of physical scientists and committed to ensuring talent from anywhere can thrive in our fields.

Humanity needs science. And science needs people and organizations working together to tackle our planet's toughest challenges. Together, we can advance science, empower scientists, and ensure discovery continues to shape our lives.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Join our team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals, and contribute to making a difference in the field of physical sciences!