Administrative Coordinator | Shock Physics, Dynamic Compression Sector | Argonne National Lab ([...]

Washington State University; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University’s Institute for Shock Physics in Lemont, IL seeks an Administrative Coordinator to manage user experiments at the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) and serve as the primary administrative contact from proposal submission through post‑experiment activities.

You will coordinate communications, verify data submissions, support run schedules, and collect operational metrics for reporting to sponsors, ensuring efficient, accurate administrative operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 3 years of related experience or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and data reporting ability.

Responsibilities

• Administer user activities and coordinate schedules.
• Verify and organize data submissions and project metrics.
• Serve as primary contact for proposals, experiments, and post-experiment activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service experience

Written and oral communication

Data extraction and analysis

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on September 8, 2026.

Available Title(s)

1138-YN_ADMINPRO - Coordinator

Business Title

Administrative Coordinator | Shock Physics, Dynamic Compression Sector | Argonne National Lab (Lemont, IL)

Employee Type

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details

The Opportunity:

The Institute for Shock Physics’ Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) is located at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois. The DCS is a first-of-its-kind, national research facility that provides experimental capabilities in dynamic compression or shock wave science to scientists from across the United States. These scientists (called “users”) come to the DCS from universities, national laboratories, and other research institutions. As the DCS Administrative Coordinator you will be responsible for administrative operations related to managing user experiments at the DCS. You will serve as the primary administrative contact for user operations from the submission of the research proposal for experimental time through post-experiment activities. Your responsibilities in supporting users include managing the communication plan for users based on the experimental run schedule, verifying data submitted to the APS systems, participating in conference calls with the technical point-of-contacts, and confirming receipt of post-experiment information. Additionally, you will collect and organize DCS operational metrics used for reporting to external sponsors and for analyzing operational trends and projections.

Percentage Breakdown Of Job Functions

• 50% - Administer User Activities
• 25% - Data Management and Metrics
• 20% - Administrative Support
• 5% - Other Duties as Assigned

Additional Information

This is a full-time (100% FTE), temporary position that is renewed on an annual basis. Appointment renewal is dependent on continued funding and project needs. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary: $5,833.34 to $6,500.00 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and three (3) years of directly related experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including proven ability to collaborate with diverse professionals from various organizations, levels and perspectives.
• Experience providing customer service to external constituents.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proactive, solution-oriented approach to team collaboration to result in successful operations.
• Proven ability to conceptualize and communicate program requirements to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Ability to understand, manipulate and extract a wide range of data/metrics from diverse sources for creation and analysis of custom operational reports.
• Demonstrated capability to exercise good judgment and analytical thought processes.
• Demonstrated skills in using Microsoft Office and other software applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in working in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience in a University setting and familiarity with the University business operations, policies, and procedures.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department Name

Institute for Shock Physics | Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS)

Location

Lemont, IL 60439

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract. Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both. More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/