Research Operations Coordinator

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

South Carolina Retirement

State Insurance Programs

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Job summary

The University of South Carolina is seeking a Research Operations Coordinator to provide administrative and operational support across pre-award and post-award activities. You will collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and research offices to maintain orderly workflows and documentation.

Responsibilities include file management in OneDrive/SharePoint, SOP development, and coordination of proposal submissions, time and effort certifications, and financial processes in

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1+ years of job related experience.
• Experience in higher education research administration is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, electronic research administration systems and enterprise financial systems; familiarity with Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Operational & Administrative Support: assist the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and leadership, organize and manage pre-award and post-award activities, and improve service delivery and compliance.
• File & Systems Management: maintain shared electronic files (OneDrive/SharePoint), develop organized structures, and track proposals and awards in Smartsheet.
• Documentation & Process Support: develop SOPs and templates, support communications and resource materials for faculty and staff.
• Pre-Award Administration: assist with proposal preparation, routing, and pre-award materials collection to ensure timely submissions.
• Post-Award Administration: assist with rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, and time and effort certifications in PeopleSoft.

Skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint/OneDrive

Smartsheet

Job description

We are only accepting applications submitted by September 27, 2026.

Department CEC College of Engineering and Computing

Anticipated Hiring Range $44,296 - $60,000

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Work Schedule

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Type of Staff Position

Staff Time-Limited (STL)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Administrative

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the \"Working at USC\" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement Yes

State Insurance Programs Yes

Annual Leave Yes

Sick Leave Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The purpose of the Research Operations Coordinator is to provide administrative and operational support for the college’s research administration functions. This role plays a key part in maintaining organized, efficient, and consistent processes across the research lifecycle, supporting both pre-award and post-award activities. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and working closely with the Pre-Award and Post-Award teams, the Coordinator helps manage internal workflows, maintain shared systems and documentation, and support day-to-day operations of the research office. This position is primarily internally focused, with occasional interaction with faculty and departmental staff.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education research administration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, electronic research administration systems and enterprise financial systems.
• Familiarity with tracking tools such as Smartsheet.
• Experience in administrative coordination, operations, or research administration.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Confidentiality and professionalism

Job Duties

Job Duty

Operational & Administrative Support: Provide administrative and coordination support to the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and research office leadership, helping to ensure smooth and effective day-to-day functioning. Assist in organizing and maintaining operations across both pre-award and post-award activities, while managing and prioritizing workload in alignment with competing deadlines and funding cycles. Contribute to ongoing process improvements aimed at strengthening service delivery, operational efficiency, and compliance.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 30

Job Duty

File & Systems Management: Manage and maintain shared electronic file systems, such as OneDrive and SharePoint, to ensure consistency, accessibility, and adherence to record-keeping standards. Develop and sustain organized file structures and document management processes to support research administration activities. Support the tracking of proposals, awards, and operational workflows using tools such as Smartsheet, contributing to improved visibility and coordination across functions.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty

Documentation & Process Support: Assist in developing, formatting, and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and internal guidance documents to support consistent practices across research administration. Contribute to process improvement efforts by organizing materials and tracking implementation steps, helping to ensure initiatives are carried through effectively. Support the preparation of communications and resource materials for faculty and staff as needed, promoting clarity and accessibility of information.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 15

Job Duty

Pre-Award Administration: In coordination with Pre-Award Specialists, support the preparation of proposal submissions by facilitating routing through internal systems for institutional approvals and assisting with the completion of sponsor-required ancillary documents. Coordinate the collection of personnel materials, subaward documentation, and other pre-award requirements as assigned, helping to ensure timely and complete proposal submission processes.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 20

Job Duty

Post-Award Administration: Assist with the internal processing of post-award actions, including rebudgeting requests, no-cost extensions, prior approval requests, award closeout activities, and other assigned transactions. In coordination with Post-Award Administrators, support the submission of financial correction documents—such as journal vouchers and payroll updates—within USC’s PeopleSoft system. Coordinate the completion of time and effort certifications, summer salary requests, and other related financial activities to help ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 20

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date 11/01/2026

Position End Date 10/31/2027

Job Open Date 09/14/2026

Job Close Date 09/27/2026

Open Until Filled No

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
  • Yes
  • No