Research Program and Grants Coordinator

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Research Program and Grants Coordinator.

This position integrates two critical roles: coordination of the Southern Miss Graduate Training program and support for research and grants initiatives across the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), including the Office for Research and Scholarship and Gulf South Center for Community-Engaged Health Research and Innovation (CeHRI). The coordinator is responsible for day-to-day management of the graduate training program, supports CNHP faculty in research development efforts, and assists the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation with research communications, stakeholder engagement, and programmatic reporting. The position requires strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills to support faculty, trainees, and research infrastructure growth.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

1. Oversee daily operations of the Southern Miss GTEC program, including trainee admissions and onboarding processes, progress tracking, event planning, and financial processes in compliance with funding guidelines.
2. Serve as liaison for graduate trainees, providing guidance on program requirements and professional development opportunities.
3. Assist CNHP faculty and students with pre-award proposal preparation and compliance, monitor funding opportunities, and support the delivery of professional development in grantsmanship and research methods.
4. Collect, organize, and maintain data on publications, grant submissions, presentations, and student involvement for internal and sponsor reporting.
5. Provide assistance with research communications, including drafting content for newsletters, websites, and social media, and coordinating outreach materials.
6. Coordinate advisory board meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, and research-related meetings, workshops, and symposia.
7. Support scheduling, travel, correspondence, and documentation for the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and represent CNHP at relevant meetings or events.
8. Performs other duties as assigned to advance the research and scholarly mission of the CNHP.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, education, biomedical/health sciences, social sciences, or a related field and two (2) years of experience in program coordination/administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge of program operations, including onboarding, progress monitoring, compliance oversight, and event coordination.
• Strong attention to detail demonstrated by the ability to review complex information, identify discrepancies, ensure data accuracy, and maintain thorough documentation while meeting deadlines.
• Working knowledge of research administration processes, including pre-award grant development, budget management, sponsor/university compliance, and program reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with research communications, including development of news content, website updates, social media engagement, and stakeholder outreach.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing clear reports, correspondence, and event materials for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in planning and executing academic and professional events, such as workshops, symposia, and advisory board meetings.
• Competence in collecting, analyzing, and presenting research metrics to support program evaluation, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, students, and external partners while interpreting and applying funding guidelines and institutional policies.
• Commitment to maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with program and funding requirements, and safeguarding confidential information.
• Experience managing communications channels to effectively promote research achievements and program activities.

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, health sciences, or related fields, previous experience with NIH, NSF, or other federal grants, and knowledge of research compliance, federal reporting systems, and/or academic funding mechanisms.

The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success since its founding in 1910. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.