Field Research Project Manager

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The North Carolina Collaboratory disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.

The Field Research Project Manager supports research projects and programs (i.e., multiple related projects involving more than one academic project/team and/or academic campus) that are being considered for funding, or have been funded, by the NC Collaboratory.

The position manages the daily operations of these initiatives by scheduling and leading meetings, tracking progress, troubleshooting issues, and overseeing budgets, timelines and deliverables.

Multiple Collaboratory programs involve close partnerships with government agencies such as the NC Department of Environmental Quality ( DEQ), on data-related questions about Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ( PFAS) in air and water, and the Collaboratory identifies academic investigators to provide data and expertise. The Collaboratory also partners with the Office of the State Fire Marshal ( OSFM) to implement a legislative mandate to collect and destroy PFAS-containing Aqueous Film-Forming Foams ( AFFF) voluntarily submitted by local fire departments statewide. This program includes research on the effectiveness of new, pilot-scale AFFF destruction technology. The partnership requires weekly travel to field sites for collecting, sampling, analyzing, and recording AFFF samples, as well as hosting weekly virtual meetings with academic, government, and private sector partners.

The Field Research Project Manager supports Collaboratory-funded programs by assisting research teams at labs, field sites, and partner locations to complete project and program tasks and goals. This includes developing strategies and action plans, reviewing project proposals (i.e. scopes of work, timelines, deliverables, budgets), ensuring Collaboratory research templates are completed accurately for inclusion in final research funding agreements (RFAs), and providing on-site assistance as needed. Field visits ensure open communication, proper oversight, and effective use of taxpayer funds, while ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables that provide valuable data for evidence-based policymaking in North Carolina.

Other duties include working with the Collaboratory's finance and accounting team to ensure that project budgets are accurate and appropriate, both during pre-award reviews and throughout the project, ensuring that the final budget aligns with the proposed budget and the work completed; tracks and audits project performance, including assessing the successful completion and documentation of milestones; and assist research teams in adjusting scopes of work and budgets as needed to accommodate academic and non-academic partners during the award period.

Additionally, this position provides administrative support for complex agreements such as memorandums of understanding, contractual agreements, research funding agreements (RFAs), requests for information (RFIs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), revenue sharing agreements related to intellectual property (IP), and requests for proposals (RFPs). The Field Project Manager mediates conflicts or challenges that arise between research teams, the Collaboratory, and other partners to support the successful completion of projects.

The position also works with project teams to develop tools for coordinating communications, managing partnership activities, and overseeing data management, standard operating procedures, performance metrics, and project closeout documentation. Key tasks include entering research-related data into the Collaboratory's central database and organizing meetings with research participants to discuss progress, challenges, lessons learned, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, policy, or reporting requirements throughout the program.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

Project or program management experience in state or local government entities, with a proven track record of supporting academic research projects.

Superior oral and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership experience.

Ability to think strategically, make independent and proactive decisions, and manage large networks of individual project teams.

Ability to travel occasionally to support research teams in laboratory or field settings, assess progress and quality of work, and provide support as necessary.

Experience in project or program management, navigating complex regulatory and policy environments to implement programs that comply with state laws and legislative requirements, and working in a public service position. Experience working on PFAS-related issues, such as the handling of Aqueous Film Forming Foam ( AFFF), is also preferred.

Proven track record of supporting cross-sector programs in collaboration with non-academic partners, including government agencies.

The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, conscientious, a responsible steward of taxpayer-funded dollars, and eager to work with government agencies and cross-sector teams.

Ability to climb stairs and handle objects or equipment weighing up to 50 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodations. Work may require the use of personal protective equipment ( PPE), such as safety shoes, glasses, high-visibility vests, gloves, and hearing protection, when working with Collaboratory-funded partners in field or laboratory settings.

Position requires frequent statewide travel, including day trips and occasional multi-day visits, to field research sites, laboratories, and non-academic partner locations to ensure open communication, provide oversight, and support research teams funded by the department. Work may include transport of materials or equipment.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.