Research Program Coordinator: Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering

OSU Oregon State University • Corvallis, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Engineering is seeking a Research Program Coordinator (Project Manager) for the Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering (NACSE). This full-time, 12-month professional faculty position provides high-level project management and administration for typically two to four externally funded research projects, particularly large or complex grants involving multiple principal investigators (PIs). The coordinator helps reduce researchers’ administrative workload and expand their capacity to manage grant funding successfully. The role also participates in research activities, especially spatial data analysis and cartographic map production.

The coordinator assists PIs and research teams with strategic planning, resource management, and the effective operation of project activities. The role develops and maintains knowledge of university and funding-agency requirements and award-management processes, and establishes project procedures and administration in collaboration with PIs. The coordinator directs required report production, serves as a liaison between PIs and internal and external support services, and works with Financial Strategic Services staff to manage complex budgets and meet funding-agency requirements throughout the grant lifecycle. The position works independently and within a team-supported environment, handling multiple tasks and deadlines with limited support, and reports to the NACSE Director.

The position is based on-site in the NACSE suite at University Plaza, with a 40-hour workweek and some schedule flexibility. The salary range is $79,000–$88,000, commensurate with skills, education, and experience. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, or a degree combined with experience in STEM.
• Three years of experience providing project management, project coordination, and/or advanced administrative support, specifically for research program operations.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to be proactive, prioritize work across multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, explain, and implement complex research program information.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Excel for data organization and processing, including sorting and formulas.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions and recommendations aligned with policies and to act as a resource to a wide variety of constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and lead within a team, unit, or organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external partners from varied backgrounds, and a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing inclusive excellence.
• Experience working in a research setting or working with researchers on sponsored program activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality applied research efforts intended to benefit the public.
• Successful completion of a criminal history check and determination of position qualification; incumbents must self-report convictions.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a STEM field.
• At least five years of experience providing project management, project coordination, and/or advanced administrative support for one or more longer-term projects, specifically for research program operations.
• Experience balancing work among multiple teams, projects, or supervisors.
• Demonstrated ability to perform professional work such as research, presentations, and/or technical writing.
• Experience in program coordination, research support, budget management, executive leadership support, office management, event planning, or similar activities.
• Demonstrated ability and eagerness to solve problems and improve processes.
• Intermediate expertise using Microsoft Excel for data organization and processing, including complex formulas, cleaning and summarizing datasets, passing values among sheets, pivot tables, and data validation.
• Basic skill and familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) concepts and software, experience with spatial data, basic statistical analysis, and cartographic map production.
• Experience working in higher education or government.
• Experience working with internal OSU reporting and data systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level project management and administration for typically two to four externally funded research projects, especially large or complex grants with multiple PIs.
• Assist PIs and research teams with strategic planning, efficient resource management, and effective operation of project activities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of university and funding-agency requirements and award-management processes.
• Establish project procedures and administration in collaboration with PIs.
• Direct the production of required reports.
• Act as a liaison between PIs and internal and external support services needed for each project.
• Work with Financial Strategic Services staff to manage complex budgets and ensure funding-agency requirements are met throughout the grant award lifecycle.
• Participate in research activities, particularly spatial data analysis and cartographic map production.
• Prioritize and complete multiple tasks and deadlines, working independently and with staff in a team-supported environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level