Research Services Coordinator - #151718

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Health insurance

Gym/fitness benefits

Vaccine and booster program

Flexible spending accounts

Paid holidays

Community service leave

Job summary

Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC seeks a Research Services Coordinator to support pre-award and research development activities. The role provides coordinated proposal development, funding opportunity monitoring, and research support services to faculty and staff, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant proposals and a seamless transition to award management.

The position works on-site, with requirements including a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication to support faculty, staff, and sponsors.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and institutional procedures.
• Experience with proposal development and budget preparation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate proposal development, funding opportunities, and research support services.
• Assist with development and maintenance of pre-award resources, systems, and processes.
• Support proposal preparation and submission activities and ensure compliance.
• Contribute to research development initiatives and smooth transition from proposal to award management.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Administrative support

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Research Services Coordinator - #151718

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA). The Research Services Coordinator supports the University's pre-award and research development functions by providing coordinated proposal development, funding opportunity, and research support services to faculty and staff. The position assists with the development and maintenance of pre-award resources, systems, and processes; supports proposal preparation and submission activities; and contributes to research development initiatives that enhance the University's competitiveness for external funding. Working collaboratively with the Office of Research Administration and campus partners, the position helps ensure the timely, accurate, and compliant development of sponsored project proposals and supports a seamless transition from proposal submission to award management. Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required for this Position

• Communication & Customer Service: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively support faculty, staff, and sponsors.
• Organization, Coordination & Collaboration: Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accuracy, meet deadlines, follow institutional procedures, utilize administrative systems, and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Administrative & Proposal Support: Ability to coordinate multiple administrative processes and assist with document preparation, budget compilation, data entry, and submission-related activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Compensation and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $44,674

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week: 40

Number of Months per Year: 12

Salary Band Range: $35,589 - $64,499

Salary Grade: For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this journey position is considered a Salary Grade 63.

WCU Benefits

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Open and Close Dates

Open Date: 10/27/2026

Close Date: 11/10/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Background and Verification

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume
3. List of references

Optional Documents

1. DD-214
2. NGB 23A (RPAS)
3. DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

1. *
   How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
   • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
   • Indeed.com
   • Personal Referral
   • Agency Referral
   • Other
2. *
   Do you require sponsorship?
   
   • Yes
   • No