Senior Research Program Coordinator, Center Subsurface Energy and the Environment in Cockrell School of Engineering

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering seeks a Senior Research Program Coordinator to oversee daily lab operations for Dr. Quoc Nguyen, ensuring safety, equipment maintenance, and procurement. The role also handles budgeting, travel reimbursements, and staff coordination on UT Main Campus.

Responsibilities include developing lab protocols, generating reports, resolving operational issues, and supervising research staff to maintain efficient workflows.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in program administration or coordination.
• Administrative clerical experience.
• Knowledge of research lab operations.
• Experience with budget preparation software and Microsoft Excel or Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily laboratory operations for efficiency and workflow continuity.
• Maintains and services lab equipment; manages inventory and procurement.
• Implements and enforces safety protocols in compliance with UT standards.
• Coordinates travel requests/reimbursements and manages staff appointments.
• Manages lab budget, tracks expenses, and assists with grant-related activities.
• Develops/reviews lab protocols and generates operational reports.
• Addresses operational issues involving personnel, equipment, or research protocols.
• Supervises, trains, and manages the performance of research staff.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Skills

Program administration

Administrative clerical

Lab operations

Budget software

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Posting Title: Senior Research Program Coordinator, Center Subsurface Energy and the Environment in Cockrell School of Engineering

Hiring Department: Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 20

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Oct 02, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: General Notes As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.

Position Purpose The Senior Research Program Coordinator, oversees daily lab operations for Dr. Quoc Nguyen to keep workflows efficient and uninterrupted, maintaining and servicing equipment, managing inventory and procurement, and enforcing safety protocols in compliance with UT standards. This role also manages the lab budget, tracks expenses, supports grant-related activities, coordinates travel requests and reimbursements, and handles staff appointments. In addition, the manager develops and reviews lab protocols, produces operational reports, resolves issues involving personnel, equipment, or research protocols, and supervises, trains, and evaluates research staff.

• Oversees daily laboratory operations for efficiency and workflow continuity.
• Maintains and services lab equipment; manages inventory and procurement.
• Implements and enforces safety protocols in compliance with UT standards.
• Coordinates travel requests/reimbursements and manages staff appointments.
• Manages lab budget, tracks expenses, and assists with grant-related activities.
• Develops/reviews lab protocols and generates operational reports.
• Addresses operational issues involving personnel, equipment, or research protocols.
• Supervises, trains, and manages the performance of research staff.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related field Five (5) years of experience in program administration or coordination Demonstrative administrative clerical experience Prior knowledge of Research Lab Operations Experience in budget preparation software, Microsoft Excel or Adobe Acrobat Professional Excellent oral and written communication skills Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary Range $40.00 an hour (part-time, up to 20 hours a week)

Working Conditions Work is performed in a standard office environment. Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation.

Work Shift Standard business hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis during peak times

Required Materials Resume/CV Letter of interest 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus