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

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

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL, is seeking an Administrative Coordinator for the Shock Physics Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS). The role covers managing user operations from proposal through post‑experiment activities at the APS facility.

You will coordinate communications for run schedules, ensure data accuracy in APS systems, and help compile metrics for external reporting and internal planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and three years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative contact for DCS user operations from proposal to post‑experiment activities.
• Manage communication plans for users based on the experimental run schedule and verify data submitted to APS systems.
• Collect and organize DCS operational metrics used for reporting to sponsors and for trend analysis.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Oral and written communication

Analytical thinking

Data extraction & reporting

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Proactive problem-solving

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

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

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

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

External candidates , upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

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/