Research Project Manager

UNKNOWN; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RENCI, the Renaissance Computing Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is hiring an experienced Research Project Manager. The role supports NIH/NSF funded research coordination, developing project plans, and ensuring timely, budget-aware delivery with quality outcomes.

You will manage day-to-day operations, lead meetings, track risks, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance groundbreaking data science initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field and 0-2 years’ experience or equivalent.
• Ability to independently draft project plans, milestones and timelines.
• Experience coordinating government-funded projects in academic settings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Project Planning and Management: oversee one or more project lifecycles using tracking tools.
• Support deliverable execution: schedule meetings and track prioritized deliverables.
• Risk management: identify risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Reporting and SOPs: maintain project docs and prepare sponsor reports.
• Stakeholder engagement: build relationships and facilitate client communications.
• Documentation: edit technical content and ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Jira

Confluence

GitHub

Monday.com

Project planning

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Master's degree or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

GitHub

Monday.com

Job description

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 that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Are you ready to go beyond the state of the art?

At the Renaissance Computing Institute ( RENCI ), we use data, creativity, and inclusive teaming to revitalize how science is done. Fostering data science expertise and creating cyberinfrastructure isn’t just about solving known problems – it’s about expanding human potential by unlocking data.

We need innovators, builders, strategists, technologists, architects, and creative thinkers across all domains to drive this work forward. When you join our team, you’ll:

• Spend your time solving the interesting and unique problems of research and development.
• Shape your future through experimentation and unfettered access to premier education and research.
• Make connections to people and projects that ignite your passion.

We know that diversity of people and ideas is a cornerstone of innovation, and we work to ensure our culture reflects that knowledge. We provide the tools you need to do your job effectively; we offer flexibility so you can be the most productive version of you; and we encourage thoughtful and challenging discourse.

Join our research institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today and help us spark a scientific renaissance across the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and beyond.

Position Summary

RENCI is seeking an experienced Research Project Manager to report to its Research Project Management Office. The position will be responsible for contributing to the management of one or more highly complex research and team science coordination projects funded by NIH , NSF , or other federal and state government organizations and/or leading collaborative efforts between RENCI and UNC campus units.

Incumbent will aid in the development of project management strategy, supporting business cases, and detailed project plans. This role will manage project execution to ensure adherence to leadership priorities, timelines, budgets, and expected outcomes while guaranteeing the quality of project deliverables.

Incumbent will manage day-to-day operations for assigned projects in collaboration with RENCI leadership. Responsibilities include scheduling and meeting facilitation; taking notes; capturing and tracking action items; communicating with applicable teams; engaging staff to drive outcomes; and fostering strong teamwork among internal and external stakeholders.

This position will create and maintain project tracking tools, track project deliverables, and maintain project documents and artifacts. The incumbent will also identify, monitor, and address project risks and elevate issues as appropriate. Financial and administrative responsibilities include supporting budget development and monitoring, setting and tracking budgets as assigned, reporting budget or effort changes, assisting with contracts and managing subawardee deliverables when needed, and aiding in the preparation and writing of funder reports and other sponsor communications.

Incumbent should be a highly motivated, detail-oriented strategic thinker, a collaborative team player, and a demonstrated problem solver with a proven ability to make sound decisions independently and in partnership with leadership.

Key responsibilities

Project Planning and Management:

• Utilize project task tracking tools and methods to oversee one or more projects lifecycle.
• Recognize opportunities for internal improvement and develop plans for implementing updated or new processes and methods to facilitate project outcomes.

Supporting deliverable execution

• Schedule and run effective, efficient meetings.
• Work closely and confidently with research project staff to track and ensure successful completion of prioritized project deliverables. Help propose, initiate and develop activities to meet project goals (e.g. workstream or tiger team formation, webinars, office hours, educational resources).

Risk management

• Help identify and put plans in place to address potential project risks and challenges.
• Ensure broad awareness of project risks and recommend risk mitigation measures to minimize impact to project operations and outcomes.

Reporting, tracking, and standard operating procedures

• Maintain and update project tracking tools. Provide content for or prepare complete reports in accordance with sponsor requirements and project scope.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintain project documentation. Update and develop new SOPs as needed.

Internal/External Stakeholder Engagement:

• Establish and maintain a variety of positive and constructive working relationships.
• Understand internal workings of the department relative to external expectations of clients and stakeholders.
• Assist with the research, development, and execution of proposals including internal and external communications (written and oral) and client engagement.
• Constructively engage research project staff to facilitate project outcomes.
• Edit and analyze scientific and technical informational materials or content.
• Write according to correct English usage and appropriate style guide or accepted industry standards.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

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

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Ability to independently draft project plans, milestones, deliverables and timelines.

Ability to lead complex project initiatives, develop and implement program strategies, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Proven ability to lead and participate in technical conversations.

Ability to use and incorporate various hardware and software packages in support of project outcomes.

Familiarity with a range of project management tools, particularly online tools including Atlassian (Jira, Confluence), GitHub and Monday.com.

Understanding of Agile metrics (tasks, backlog tracking, burndown metrics, velocity, user stories etc.) to analyze and improve sprint planning.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Three years’ experience in project management and/or program coordination and organization. CSM or equivalent certification.

Experience with federally funded projects.

Experience using project management skills and tools in an academic setting and/or a background in education.

Experience with software development teams.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]. Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.

Optional and Required Documents

• Required Documents
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References
• Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or mostly closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
  • None of the above
• * Please describe your experience coordinating government-funded projects and/or large scale projects in an academic setting. If you do not have direct experience in these areas, please describe how your experience might be relevant to these types of projects.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Provide an example of how you previously used project management tools (such as Jira, GitHub, Monday.com, or others) in your professional experience.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * What strategies do you use when managing a project team that includes members who have authority over you, such as your manager or director?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * What experience do you have working with software development teams? If you do not have direct experience in this area, please describe how your experience might be relevant to working with highly technical individuals.

  (Open Ended Question)