Research Project Manager

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Medical coverage

Paid vacation

Job summary

Rutgers University’s Rutgers-New Brunswick Office for Research seeks a Research Project Manager to drive research development, manage programs and budgets, and coordinate faculty support across 12 schools and 175 centers. The role partners with senior leadership to advance strategic priorities and ensure rigorous program execution.

The position emphasizes data-driven reporting, proposal development support, and collaboration with global partners, with a potential hybrid work arrangement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or social sciences and data science knowledge.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, research development, higher education administration, data analysis, or project management.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape initiatives that increase faculty competitiveness and interdisciplinary engagement across 12 schools.
• Coordinate Center/Institute Review Process, LSOs, internal funding programs, and seed initiatives with transparency and rigor.
• Support proposal development, resources, SOPs, and templates for ongoing grant activities and reporting.
• Prepare annual NB OfR report and compile metrics for decision making by leadership.
• Monitor NB OfR operating budget and internal program expenditures.
• Foster collaborations with global partners and coordinate related program activities.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM or related field

Master's degree in data science (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Python

R

SQL

SharePoint

Job description

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title: Research Project Manager

Job Category: Staff & Executive - Project/Program Management/Planning

Department: ORI

Overview: The Rutgers-New Brunswick Office for Research (NB OfR) provides executive leadership for the university's expansive research enterprise, encompassing all 12 schools and over 175 centers and institutes. Serving as the strategic driver of institutional research excellence, the NB OfR advances Rutgers-New Brunswick's national and global standing by fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and publicly engaged scholarship across faculty, staff, and scholars at all levels.

The office plays a pivotal role in cultivating an inclusive and vibrant research ecosystem by advocating for institutional resources, catalyzing strategic investments, and promoting cross-sector engagement.

As a central hub of research strategy and planning, the NB OfR advises on and advances university-wide priorities, aligning initiatives with the mission and vision of Rutgers-New Brunswick and the broader institution. In close coordination with executive leadership-including the Offices of the President, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Research, and Institutional Research and Academic Planning-the NB OfR also stewards infrastructure development and strategic partnerships to position the campus at the forefront of scholarly innovation.

Posting Summary: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Research Project Manager for the Rutgers-New Brunswick Office for Research (NB OfR). This position is a 100% appointment and reports to the Assistant Director for Research Development. This position serves as a key strategic partner within NB OfR and plays a critical role in advancing the university's research mission.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Shapes initiatives that increase faculty competitiveness, elevate interdisciplinary engagement, and enhance Rutgers-New Brunswick's research infrastructure across its 12 schools.
• Serves as a central point of coordination and innovation and leads efforts in managing the New Brunswick 175+ Center and Institute Review Process, Limited Submission Opportunities (LSOs), internal funding competitions, pilot seed programs and the Rutgers Research Development Academy-ensuring these programs are executed with transparency, rigor, and strategic alignment.
• Plays a key role in building faculty capacity through high-impact programming, supporting proposal development activities, coordinating proposal logistics, curating research development resources, maintaining proposal development templates, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and sustaining initiatives such as the Chancellor Signature Initiatives and internal grantmaking portfolios.
• Prepares the annual NB OfR report and compiles research development metrics, program outcomes, and institutional data for reporting purposes, helping NB OfR and university leadership make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Assists with tracking and monitoring the NB OfR operating budget and internal program expenditures while supporting the effective administration of research development programs.
• Plays an integral role in cultivating and managing expanding collaborations, including the development of faculty-facing programs and long-term research strategies with global partners such as Dublin City University, while coordinating related program activities and administrative support.
• Ensures effective implementation of NB OfR's strategic goals while providing day-to-day oversight of research development programs, proposal activities, and communications that support Rutgers-New Brunswick's research enterprise.
• Ensures the efficient administration of research development programs while contributing to the office's strategic priorities and continuous process improvement, working collaboratively with faculty, research administrators, school leadership, reviewers, and university partners.

FLSA: Exempt

Grade: 07

Minimum Salary: 94492.000

Mid Range Salary: 119604.000

Maximum Salary: 144715.000

Offer Information: The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits: Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status: Full Time

Standard Hours: 37.50

Work Arrangement: Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description: Admin Assembly (MPSC)

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or social sciences (psychology, social work, engineering, computer science, etc.) and data science knowledge.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, research development, higher education administration, data analysis, or project management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience supporting proposal development, internal funding programs, or sponsored research administration.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with faculty, administrators, and staff across a large research university.
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and database management tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in data science preferred.
• Experience administering limited submission programs or internal funding competitions.
• Experience supporting faculty proposal development.
• Knowledge of federal and private research funding agencies.
• Experience preparing institutional reports and program metrics.
• Knowledge of research development best practices and higher education research administration.
• Experience with data management and analysis software; experience using excel, SPSS, Python and R.

Equipment Utilized:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, Qualtrics, database and project management software.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Physical demands those of an office setting.

Posting Details

Posting Number: 26ST1749

Posting Open Date: 09/10/2026

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Busch (RU-New Brunswick)

City: Piscataway

State: NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement