Undergraduate Research Administrator

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition opportunities within UNCSystem

Wellness programs

Health coverage

Retirement options

Paid leave

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking an Undergraduate Research Administrator to oversee the full lifecycle of undergraduate research grants, including pre- and post-award activities. This role supports CSURF, coordinates with faculty and campus partners, and ensures successful grant submissions and closeouts.

The position emphasizes student success, collaboration across departments, and adherence to sponsored program guidelines, with a focus on professional growth within UNCW.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• At least 1 year of related experience.
• Familiarity with undergraduate research.
• Experience with grant management and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full lifecycle of internally funded undergraduate research grants.
• Coordinate with faculty and units to prepare documents and budgets.
• Monitor budgets, prepare reports, and manage grant closeout.
• Collaborate with CSURF team and other offices to support student success.

Skills

Grant management

Project management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Grants.gov

eRA Commons

InfoEd

Job description

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.
Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life-creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $52,721- $58,000

Recruitment Range Details

The salary range advertised is the designated recruitment range for this classification. Final salary offers will be determined by the candidate’s education, relevant experience, internal equity alignment, and departmental budgetary parameters.

Vacancy Number

Vacancy Number S02942

Position Title

Position Title University Program Specialist

Working Title

Working Title Undergraduate Research Administrator

Competency Level Journey

Competency Level Journey

Home Department

Home Department High Impact Practices - 33400

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs Functional Area is one of eight primary functional areas within the Division of Academic Affairs that develop and enact polices, processes and programs that advance UNCW’s academic mission through the support of the Colleges and other divisions of the institution.
This functional area supports faculty development and welfare; partners with various stakeholders to promote faculty diversity and a culture of equity and inclusion; facilitates the new degree program planning process and champions undergraduate degree program development; coordinates the Quality Enhancement Plan selection process; oversees the University Studies Curriculum and Assessment process; supports and champions interdisciplinary programs; and, serves as a liaison to UNCW’s Faculty Senate.

College

College Undergraduate Ed & Faculty Affairs - 330 College

College/School Information

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation.
A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.
The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Founded as Wilmington College in 1947, UNCW moved to its present location in the heart of New Hanover County in 1961. The 660-acre campus is only minutes from Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington and features Georgian architecture and designated conservation areas. Wilmington International Airport ( ILM ) provides commercial air service to cities both domestic and abroad and is just six miles from the UNCW campus.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Location of Workplace

Location of Workplace Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships ( CSURF ) is part of the Office of High Impact Practices in Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs. CSURF’s primary mission is to support students and faculty with the resources for high quality undergraduate research experiences. CSURF is the point of contact for approximately 18,000 students from over 250 majors. CSURF also works with graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.

The Undergraduate Research Administrator will be charged with overseeing the full lifecycle of major internally funded undergraduate research grants (e.g., grants given to UNCW students and faculty by CSURF ) and externally funded undergraduate training grants (e.g., Beckman Scholars or NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates), with both pre- and post-award responsibilities. The Undergraduate Research Administrator will identify funding opportunities and coordinate with appropriate faculty and units to prepare documents and budgets of competitive applications. Post-award, they will monitor budgets, prepare reports, and manage the closeout of grants.

The Undergraduate Research Administrator will report to the Associate Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Additionally, the Undergraduate Research Administrator is expected to work closely with the rest of the CSURF team, the Research Development Office, Pre- and Post-Award Specialists from Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance, and other research operations groups across campus. Although most of the work will be with faculty and staff, this work is done through a lens of student success. Some work with undergraduate and graduate students will be required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred education, professional skills and experience

• Familiarity with undergraduate research
• 3 or more years of related experience working in grant management, research administration, project management, or grant writing
• University experience sufficient to earn the trust and respect of faculty across disciplines
• Experience with platforms such as grants.gov, eRA Commons, InfoEd, etc.
• Ability to find, synthesize, and communicate relevant information in an organized, comprehensive, manner, including funding agency specifics such as guidelines, eligibility, and submission protocols
• Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational and self-management skills, including tracking multi-step processes and multi-year time lines
• Ability to multitask
• Strong ability to take initiative, work independently, and collaborate with teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer service skills
• Proficiency in frequently used software programs (Microsoft Office, Zoom) and searching databases

Required Certifications or licensure

N/A

FTE

FTE 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Months Per Year

Months Per Year 12 Months

Work Days

Work Days Monday - Friday

Type of Position

Type of Position Permanent

Position Number

Position Number 8456

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 10/22/2026

Posting Close Date

Posting Close Date 11/18/2026

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.