Research Associate

Available Title(s):

305-YN_FACULTY - Research Associate

Business Title:

Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Part time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Research Associate/Project Manager will assist the project director and co-PDs in conducting research projects, analyzing data, developing reports and manuscripts, writing grant proposals and supervising lab workers and students working on research projects.

The Project Manager will assist in activities including providing support with managing project logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight. Additionally, the Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating monthly meetings with the PD and co-PDs, quarterly for the entire project team, and annually for the whole team and Advisory Board. Other duties include: providing data management assistance, compiling and drafting annual progress reports, working with the Communication Specialist on development of outreach deliverables (e.g., webinars, website updates, etc.) in collaboration with the Outreach Team. Remote work is optional.

Research | 70%

• Conduct research projects.

• Write grant proposals.

• Supervise lab workers and students working on research projects.

• Analyze data.

• Develop reports and manuscripts based on research results.

Reporting and Communication | 10%

• Coordinate and facilitate monthly meetings with the PD and co-PDs, quarterly for the entire project team, and annually for the whole. Meeting coordination and assistance outside of these times may also be required.

• Develop meeting agendas, organize meetings and events, prepare documents for meetings (including background materials), and assist in scheduling travel arrangements for annual project meetings with team members.

• Provide administrative support for all grant project faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Assemble project plans and assignments in collaboration with the PD, co-PDs, and others team members to monitor work efforts, identify resource needs, assess work quality, and help troubleshoot issues as needed.

• Develop and help the PD and co-PDs to implement and track timelines and workflows for project outputs. Support the PD and co-PDs to ensure project outcomes are produced on-time, within scope, and within our budget.

• Assist Washington State University team members with relevant logistics to ensure compliance with institutional and regulator aspects of the project.

• Assist with manuscript, presentation, and outreach material preparation with team members and the Outreach team.

• Work with the PD and co-PDs to establish management processes and methods to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and of high quality.

Budget Management | 10%

• Mange subcontracts in coordination with Washington State University grant support staff.

• Meet with the PD and co-PDs to create and update grant expenditure plans to finalize funding, prevent deficits, and ensure funds are spent in accordance with grant agency rules.

• Review personnel funding documents encumbering grant funding and verify appointments are allowable per the proposal and expenditure plan.

• Create and maintain a system for monitoring sponsored projects for receivables, overdrafts, revenue, effort certifications, cost share, and financial reporting.

• Review overdrafts, revenue, and cash advance guarantees. Make corrections as needed.

• Maintain and modify record keeping systems for budget transactions, cost share tracking, and allocations.

• Notify appropriate individuals of any projected or actual over or under expenditures.

• Manage and update ad hoc reports.

• Maintain, monitor, and reconcile grant budget statements; resolve discrepancies as needed.

• Ensure compliance with Washington State University and subcontracting institutional grant requirements.

• Prepare fiscal reports for the PD and co-PDs at Washington State University and in collaboration with the grant support staff.

• Provide the PD and co-PDs with quarterly financial reports.

Troubleshooting, Liaising and Mediating | 5%

• Identify potential obstacles and proactively work with the PD on strategies to overcome them.

• Resolve issues in a timely manner.

• Ensure project progress and recommend appropriate revisions as needed to address project goals.

Other | 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• A BS or MS degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent related experiences performing professional-level work. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Needs to have scientific and project management skills.

• An understanding of research protocols and the scientific method is required.

• Demonstrated excellence in organization, project management, and communication is also required.

• Needs to have attention to detail and be able to multi-task.

• Be committed to the core values of excellence, diversity, research integrity, global involvement, and accountability.

• Have knowledge of relevant software for effective project management.

• Have experience in developing and tracking budgets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with procurement and management of extramural funding.

• Environmental research experience.

• Extension and outreach experience.

• Organization, management, basic accounting, strong written and verbal communication skills, and understanding of scientific and agricultural research.

• Experience working with a diversity of people.

• Experience in motivating effective teamwork that is aligned with project objectives. 

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Washington Stormwater Center

City, State, Zip:

Puyallup, WA, 98371

Hyrbid/Remote work available

Department Link:
https://www.wastormwatercenter.org/

Annual Salary:

$37,368.63 prorated for 50% FTE

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full range for this position.
WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit:

https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf .

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/ .

FTE:

50%

Temporary End Date:

This is a temporary position expected to end on June 30, 2025. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by April 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.  A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Required Documents:
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .