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 School of Data and Information Sciences ( SDIS) was founded in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together longstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership in data science, including computational and statistical methods, and societal applications.

Home to a top ranked library and information science program, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching, research and service and is the home to the Carolina Health Informatics Program ( CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life ( CITAP). The School teaches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in data science, health informatics, information science and library science, as well as offers certificates for adult learners.

SDIS conducts research and scholarship across the data and information life cycle, with an emphasis on human-centric, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data, information and AI literacy for all Tar Heels, SDIS faculty are tackling our communities' most pressing needs and our world's most intractable challenges.

The SDSS is seeking an experienced Research Project Manager to report to its Office of Research Strategy and Leadership Team. The position will be responsible for managing one or more highly complex research and team science coordination projects and/or leading collaborative efforts between SDSS and UNC campus units. Projects may be internal to SDSS and UNC or supported by an external sponsor such as NIH, NSF, other federal agencies, state agencies, and non-government sponsors.

Incumbent will develop project management strategy, supporting business cases, and detailed project
plans and will manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, reporting, and scope in collaboration with SDSS and project leadership and, as applicable, other Research Project Managers. Incumbent will manage day-to-day operations for these projects in collaboration with SDSS leadership to include scheduling meetings, running meetings, taking notes, capturing and tracking action deliverables, communicating with all teams, and maintaining project tracking tools, documents, and other artifacts.

Incumbent should be a highly motivated, detail-oriented strategic thinker, a team player, and a
demonstrated problem solver with a proven ability to make decisions. Tasks include:
- Providing program management to include strategic planning, communications, outreach to funded collaborators and/or project stakeholders to help manage team relations.
- Coordinating multiple collaborative groups and activities.
- Monitoring and tracking project milestones and deliverables.
- Recognizing areas for internal improvement and developing plans for implementing updated or new processes and methods to facilitate project outcomes.
- Conferring with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Working with relevant business offices and project leadership to develop project budgets, and supervising project resources to assure projects stay on track and within budget.
- Working with relevant teams to write reports.
- Providing proposal development support for research proposal concepts including gathering, summarizing, and analyzing information about funding opportunities, sponsors, and competitors.
- Providing project management for proposals include tracking and gathering of required materials and creation of final documents.
- Supporting event planning to execute events related to projects (workshops, hack-a thons, training events, and multi-institutional meetings).

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Project Planning and Management:
- Ability to plan and manage large, multi-faceted and specialized projects and assist with project events.
- Ability to manage day to day business operations of a project.
- Proven ability to lead complex project initiatives, develop and implement program strategies, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to generate routine project reporting.

Interpersonal
- Ability to establish and maintain a variety of positive and constructive working relationships.

Technical:
- Familiarity with a range of project management tools, particularly online tools such as Jira and/or Monday.com.

Prefer three years' experience in project management and/or program coordination and organization. PMP Certification is a plus. Experience with federally funded projects is a plus. Experience using project management skills and tools in an academic setting and/or a background in education is a plus. Experience in supporting faculty in applying for sponsored project funding is a plus.

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The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.