KGCOE Research Program Administration Specialist

Position Highlights

RIT is seeking a Research Program Administration Specialist (RPAS) to coordinate and manage a new effort at RIT to design, create, and test long and wide sheets of two-dimensional polymer (2DP) films.  Through a multi-million-dollar investment in government funding, RIT is now constructing a dedicated 2DP facility that will house a new roll-to-roll coating machine and an expanded lab to design, develop, and improve formulations to create 2DP prototypes that demonstrate feasibility for scale up to manufacturing. Although initially funded from government sponsors, we expect that the 2DP facility will grow to be a national center where 2DP materials may be developed and prototyped for commercialization to follow.  The new facility will come online in early May of 2027, but there is an immediate need now for support.  In the short term, the facility is being built, and technical staff is being hired.  Additionally, clientele for the new facility is being established now via external interactions with industry, sponsors, and academics—with a workshop being delivered in late October 2026 to create clientele for the new facility.  As such, significant administrative and logistical help is needed now as the new center is developed—to both build the effort and its administrative infrastructure, while at the same time managing a burgeoning list of clients.  Note that there is an existing effort in place now in which 2DP films are made for sponsors and industry partners with existing equipment and labs at RIT, so that effort needs to be managed while growing the new facility.

In addition to these growth activities, the RPAS will be expected to coordinate the development of research proposals associated with the center in compliance with funding agency requirements, conduct financial analysis and budget management in real time, make projections that enable strategic decisions to be made regarding budgeting and projects to be undertaken, review and ensure compliance of research operations with those of various grants and external industrial partners, maintain effective collaborations with external partners and sponsors, and help the center director to manage the portfolio of research projects by providing financial, compliance, and strategic perspectives.  As the new center evolves, opportunities to advance and specialize in various other elements of the facility operation and management will become available.  As such, the successful candidate must have entrepreneurial spirit as the research effort and new facility are growing, and the candidate must be flexible to take on new challenges and responsibilities that accompany this growth.  Finally, as part of our effort, we do employ chemical engineering co-op students for three-to-six-month stints and have independent study students working with us in our lab during the school year.  We are thus seeking an individual who has the ability to work with students.  All faculty and staff in the chemical engineering program at RIT are expected to contribute to our culture of student-centeredness, professional development and scholarship, integrity and ethics; respect, diversity and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and diversity commitment.  

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 8 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered
• Commitment to student-centeredness—Candidate must support the importance of students as the primary constituency of the university.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of grant writing and proposal development that aligns with state and federal grant/sponsorship laws and regulations and RIT policies and procedures
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards regulations
• Knowledge of financial, procurement, HR, and compliance policies and procedures related to research administration
• Skill in project management and organization to manage schedules, resources, and project timelines efficiently in a dynamic environment
• Skill in effective communication and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders regarding complex or technical topics
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information with discretion and uphold ethical standards of grant funds
• Ability to manage and coordinate activities needed for the center with a wide variety of constituencies including academic, industrial and government partners

THE COLLEGE/ DEPARTMENT:  

The Kate Gleason College of Engineering at RIT has established its reputation as preeminent in career-oriented engineering education and applied research.  It offers bachelor’s degree programs in biomedical, chemical, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical and microelectronic engineering, and comprehensive, innovative graduate programs in a range of engineering disciplines, with two broad-based, cross-disciplinary Ph.D. programs in Engineering and Microsystems Engineering.  Combined, discipline-specific graduate programs are in development to be launched in the near future. The Chemical Engineering Department is housed in Institute Hall, an 86,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art labs for both faculty research and teaching.  For more information visit:   http://www.rit.edu/kgcoe/program/chemical-engineering.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates the development of research proposals, integrating strategic financial planning and compliance with funding agency requirements
• Conducts financial analysis and budget management for research projects, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization of resources
• Reviews compliance of research operations with grant conditions, implementing changes where necessary to meet regulatory standards
• Establishes and maintains effective collaborations with faculty, researchers, and external partners to enhance research opportunities
• Manages a portfolio of research projects, providing oversight and support to ensure successful project execution
• Advocates for and supports the integration of new research technologies and methodologies to advance project goals
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of grant writing and proposal development that aligns with state and federal grant/sponsorship laws and regulations and RIT policies and procedures
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards regulations
• Knowledge of financial, procurement, HR, and compliance policies and procedures related to research administration
• Skill in project management and organization to manage schedules, resources, and project timelines efficiently in a dynamic environment
• Skill in effective communication and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders regarding complex or technical topics
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information with discretion and uphold ethical standards of grant funds

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 8 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 3 - A senior-level role requiring broad understanding of the profession or field of work. Independently leads diverse and often complex assignments, projects, or programs. May act as a mentor and guide less experienced staff.

FLSA Category

Work Location

Compensation

Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information.  This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.