Research Project Coordinator (.50 FTE)

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas, KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is seeking a project coordinator to support personnel preparation grants in low-incidence special education. This role coordinates training activities, tracks study progress, and assists with grant management and reporting across multiple projects focusing on paraprofessionals and interdisciplinary training efforts.

Ideal candidates bring a degree in special education or related fields, strong written and verbal communication, attention

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in special education, education, psychology, speech/language hearing or a related field and one year of experience in field of study.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as evidenced in application materials and experience.
• Strong attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills as evidenced by application materials and experience.
• Three (3) or more years of experience using multiple types of computer software and websites (e.g., Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, Adobe Acrobat, Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Qualtrics, Canvas, Apple iCloud) as demonstrated by application materials and work experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate development of project protocols to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Supervise and support students enrolled in the personnel preparation programs.
• Perform entry of project data into federal data collection systems, including developing and maintaining databases.
• Update websites, surveys (Qualtrics), learning management systems (Canvas), and social media by writing text, resizing images, editing video, attaching documents.
• Provide scheduling and basic administrative support such as meeting notes and document handling.
• Support additional project activities as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in special education, education, psychology, speech-language hearing or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

Canvas

Facebook

Twitter/X

Instagram

Google Drive

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Apple iCloud

Job description

Position Overview

KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is seeking a project coordinator to support personnel preparation grants in low-incidence special education. This position will work across projects to coordinate training activities, monitor and communicate study progress, and assist with grant management and reporting tasks. These projects include focus in the following areas:

• PreK-12 Training for Paraprofessionals without initial licenses seeking low-incidence teaching endorsements (Through 9/30/28 only)
• PreK-12 Interdisciplinary Training of Low-Incidence Special Education Teachers and Speech Language Pathologists (Through 9/30/30)

The person in this role may directly supervise the work of professional staff and students supporting project goals. The ideal candidate will be highly reliable in a fast-paced office, pay close attention to detail, be adept at problem-solving, and have project coordination experience. The ideal candidate will have project specialist or coordinator experience, be highly reliable in a fast-paced office, pay close attention to detail, be adept at problem-solving, and have a degree in special education (ideally in low-incidence special education), speech-language hearing sciences, disability studies, or a related area.

About KUCD

The University of Kansas, Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is recognized as a leading research center in the field of disability. KUCD implements and conducts grant-funded projects focusing on (a) applied research on effective assessment and intervention practices with a particular focus on self-determination and transition to employment and (b) interdisciplinary training in the disability field. KUCD is part of the Life Span Institute (LSI), a leading research unit at the University of Kansas.

KUCD research staff are expected to actively engage in research projects and disseminate research results through print, online resources, and direct, in-person presentation of information.

Job Description

The research project coordinator will work directly with KUCD Affiliated Faculty member Jennifer Kurth, as well as collaborate with others at KUCD, including colleagues with disabilities, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and staff. The project coordinator will also liaison with project advisory board members including adults with disabilities. The person in this role will be tasked with the following responsibilities:

• 50% - Coordinate development of project protocols to meet project goals and deadlines. Organize project activities such as: seminar meetings for scholars, data collection/ survey distribution and analysis of scholar data, advisory board meetings, project management team meetings, update and distribute project sites including Canvas and Qualtrics, planning project activities (e.g., seminars, conference travel), management of project technology (e.g., iPads), and coordinating data collection and management activities. Prepare regular communication notices regarding project updates and monitor grant resource allocation. Assist in the development of project reports through writing, proofreading and document lay-out.
• 15% - Supervise and support students enrolled in the personnel preparation programs, including supervising of fieldwork, providing technical assistance on paperwork and project activities.
• 10% - Perform entry of project data into federal data collection systems, including developing and maintaining databases to facilitate effective program evaluation processes and support annual tracking and reporting requirements funding sources. Maintain knowledge of IRB requirements and collaborate with KU IRB office to adhere to project protocols.
• 10% - Update websites, surveys (i.e., Qualtrics), learning management systems (i.e., Canvas), and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Academia, ResearchGate, etc.) by writing text, identifying and resizing images, editing video, attaching documents, etc.
• 10% - Provide additional support such as scheduling meetings using Outlook or Doodle polls, typing meeting notes, making copies, scanning documents, etc.
• 5% - Support additional project activities as needed.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in special education, education, psychology, speech/language hearing or a related field and one year of experience in field of study.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills as evidenced in application materials and experience.
3. Strong attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
4. Strong interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills as evidenced by application materials and experience.
5. Three (3) or more years of experience using multiple types of computer software and websites (e.g., Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, Adobe Acrobat, Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Qualtrics, Canvas, Apple iCloud) as demonstrated by application materials and work experience.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with OSEP personnel preparation projects.
2. Experience teaching students with low-incidence disabilities in PreK-12 general education settings.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience with, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as evidenced by application materials.
4. Experience with data management, analysis or storage systems (e.g., Excel, RedCap).
5. Experience supervising the work of students, research aides or assistants.
6. Experience working with more than one project at a time.
7. Experience working with people with disabilities or their families.
8. Experience coordinating events, including travel.

Contact Information to Applicants

Jennifer Kurth, [e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$30,000 at .50 FTE (20 hours weekly)

Anticipated Start Date

Tuesday December 1, 2026