Research Project Manager
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Data and Info Sci Research-371030
Career Area :Research Professionals
Posting Open Date:10/22/2026
Application Deadline:11/04/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title:Research Project Manager
Appointment Type:EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number:20050116
Vacancy ID:NF0010132
Full Time/Part Time:Full-Time Permanent
FTE:1
Hours per week:40
Position Location:North Carolina, US
Hiring Range:salary to be commensurate with experience
Proposed Start Date:12/01/2026
Be a Tar Heel!:A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:The School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) was founded in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together longstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership in data science, including computational and statistical methods, and societal applications.
Home to a top ranked library and information science program, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching, research and service and is the home to the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP). The School teaches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in data science, health informatics, information science and library science, as well as offers certificates for adult learners.
SDIS conducts research and scholarship across the data and information life cycle, with an emphasis on human-centric, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data, information and AI literacy for all Tar Heels, SDIS faculty are tackling our communities’ most pressing needs and our world’s most intractable challenges.
The SDSS is seeking an experienced Research Project Manager to report to its Office of Research Strategy and Leadership Team. The position will be responsible for managing one or more highly complex research and team science coordination projects and/or leading collaborative efforts between SDSS and UNC campus units. Projects may be internal to SDSS and UNC or supported by an external sponsor such as NIH, NSF, other federal agencies, state agencies, and non-government sponsors.
Incumbent will develop project management strategy, supporting business cases, and detailed project
plans and will manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, reporting, and scope in collaboration with SDSS and project leadership and, as applicable, other Research Project Managers. Incumbent will manage day-to-day operations for these projects in collaboration with SDSS leadership to include scheduling meetings, running meetings, taking notes, capturing and tracking action deliverables, communicating with all teams, and maintaining project tracking tools, documents, and other artifacts.
Incumbent should be a highly motivated, detail-oriented strategic thinker, a team player, and a
demonstrated problem solver with a proven ability to make decisions. Tasks include:
- Providing program management to include strategic planning, communications, outreach to funded collaborators and/or project stakeholders to help manage team relations.
- Coordinating multiple collaborative groups and activities.
- Monitoring and tracking project milestones and deliverables.
- Recognizing areas for internal improvement and developing plans for implementing updated or new processes and methods to facilitate project outcomes.
- Conferring with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Working with relevant business offices and project leadership to develop project budgets, and supervising project resources to assure projects stay on track and within budget.
- Working with relevant teams to write reports.
- Providing proposal development support for research proposal concepts including gathering, summarizing, and analyzing information about funding opportunities, sponsors, and competitors.
- Providing project management for proposals include tracking and gathering of required materials and creation of final documents.
- Supporting event planning to execute events related to projects (workshops, hack-a thons, training events, and multi-institutional meetings).
Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:Project Planning and Management:
- Ability to plan and manage large, multi-faceted and specialized projects and assist with project events.
- Ability to manage day to day business operations of a project.
- Proven ability to lead complex project initiatives, develop and implement program strategies, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to generate routine project reporting.
Interpersonal
- Ability to establish and maintain a variety of positive and constructive working relationships.
Technical:
- Familiarity with a range of project management tools, particularly online tools such as Jira and/or Monday.com.
Prefer three years’ experience in project management and/or program coordination and organization. PMP Certification is a plus. Experience with federally funded projects is a plus. Experience using project management skills and tools in an academic setting and/or a background in education is a plus. Experience in supporting faculty in applying for sponsored project funding is a plus.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements:N/A
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:Not Applicable.
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
Faculty: 3,000
Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert