Research Project Coordinator

Position Overview

KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD) seeks a research project coordinator to support projects related to educating and supporting young adults with disability and the professionals who work with them. This position will work across projects to coordinate project activities, monitor and communicate study progress, and assist with grant management and reporting tasks.

These projects focus on the following areas:

• Professional development for and on-going collaborations with secondary special educators and other professionals who work with young adults with disabilities.
• Integrated postsecondary education for young adults with intellectual disability in Kansas, particularly KU Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE).

The research project coordinator is an important part of the KUCD team and may supervise the work of professional staff (e.g., research assistants or aides) and students supporting research project goals. The coordinator monitors tasks and responsibilities to ensure accurate and timely completion across projects and works collaboratively with team members to support task completion. The ideal candidate will have previous project coordination experience, be highly reliable at meeting established goals and deliverables within strict timelines, pay close attention to detail, be adept at independent problem-solving, and collaborate well within a complex team including colleagues at multiple universities and other community partners.

The University of Kansas, Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is recognized as a leading research center in the field of disability. KUCD implements and conducts grant-funded research projects focusing on (a) applied research on effective assessment and instructional methods with a particular focus on self-determination and transition from high‑school to employment, postsecondary education, or community participation and (b) interdisciplinary training in the disability field.

KUCD is part of the Life Span Institute (LSI), a leading research unit at the University of Kansas.

This position is located at the University of Kansas-Lawrence and occasional travel in Kansas and within the United States will be required.

KUCD is committed to fostering a supportive research and educational environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

The research project coordinator is a critical role and responsibilities include the following:

• Coordinate the development of materials/resources aligned with project goals and deadlines, working closely with project leadership to ensure alignment with grant goals and deliverables.
• Organize study activities such as: (a) recruiting/managing participants, (b) tracking study activities and timelines, (c) data collection organization and monitoring, including training data collectors, and tracking data collection activities, and (d) ensuring timely provision of participant incentives or other participant support (e.g. travel reimbursement, honoraria, etc.) as required.
• Communicate regular, timely, thoroughly summarized project updates to all team members through careful planning of internal study team meetings, written status updating on a consistent schedule, being sure to elevate items of concern to project leadership as needed.
• Organize inventory and ordering of necessary supplies and coordinate shipping of materials as needed.
• Strengthen team working relationships by communicating professionally with team members at multiple universities and other local community organizations, study participants (e.g., teachers and students with disabilities), project funders, and the public around study details and activities as required and appropriate.

• Use efficient and effective methods to determine meeting times/places (e.g. using online calendars and meeting apps).
• Communicate with participants and sponsors via phone and digital means.
• Implement logistics (e.g.,…