Research Administrative & Operations Coordinator

About The Job

This position provides high-level administrative and operational support for the Department Head’s active research lab, focusing on streamlining procedures to facilitate well-designed and effectively executed non‑clinical research. The incumbent will implement administrative policies, infrastructure, and quality standards; triage tasks, manage a complex research calendar, coordinate travel and dissemination logistics, and collaborate with communications teams to promote the research agenda. The role is performed under moderate supervision and guided by general procedures and professional norms.

Hybrid work schedule. 20 hours per week.

Note:

This position is not eligible for H‑1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• Administrative & Research Lab Coordination (45%):
  • Implement and maintain administrative and operational procedures and quality standards to ensure an effectively executed non‑clinical research program.
  • Independently manage routine administrative or operational lab problems using standard procedures; monitor progress toward research milestones, triage incoming requests, action items, and academic/research calendar commitments for the PI.
  • Coordinate complex domestic and international travel itineraries, hotel accommodations, and conference registrations for the PI and visiting scholars to support research dissemination.
  • Act as a central lead for lab staff, postdocs, and graduate students; assign, schedule, and direct relevant operational work to ensure lab‑wide alignment with the PI’s research goals. May supervise student employees.
• Research Support, Correspondence & Documentation (40%):
  • Manage the compilation, formatting, and tracking of recommendation letters, promotion dossiers, and professional references written by the Department Head/PI.
  • Assist the PI in formatting, editing, and assembling documentation and materials for research presentations, conference keynotes, and lecture materials.
  • Collaborate with the PI, faculty, and departmental stakeholders to generate and format PI documents for grant applications, and gather necessary documentation to support various research initiatives, projects, and reports as needed.
• Research Support & Communications (15%):
  • Coordinate updates regarding lab research findings, publications, and grants to the lab website; collaborate closely with communications and marketing personnel on research‑related PR items for the lab.
  • Manage the tracking and distribution of external job, fellowship, and research opportunities to department personnel, lab staff, and students to foster academic and research growth.
  • Ensure strict adherence with all university, federal, and ethical guidelines throughout the research lifecycle, including the administrative tracking and maintenance of IRB protocols, amendments, lab safety requirements, and documents.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience equal at least six years.
• Demonstrated experience in an administrative support capacity; scientific or technical expertise is not required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a large research university setting or similar (University of Minnesota experience preferred).
• Demonstrated experience managing complex schedules, travel logistics, and conference presentations.
• Proven ability to find solutions to operational problems using AI, software, or other tools and rethink procedures to maximize efficiency where feasible.

Pay Range: $29.93 - $31.25; depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Time Appointment: 50% appointment.

Position Type: Civil‑Service & Non‑Faculty Labor Represented Staff.

Benefits include competitive wages, paid holidays, generous time off, continuous learning opportunities through professional training, low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans, healthcare and dependent‑care flexible spending accounts, university HSA contributions, disability and employer‑paid life insurance, employee wellbeing program, excellent retirement plans with employer contribution, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity, financial counseling services, and an Employee Assistance Program with up to eight free counseling sessions.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.