Project Manager /Research Associate – ORF-RE

Overview

Term: 1 Year

The Project Manager/Research position is responsible for providing project management and research administration services with Professor Linda Nazar for ongoing projects with BASF, JCESR, Conamix, Nissan and the ORF-RE project entitled “Empowering Ontario’s Transportation Sector with Electrochemical Solid State Energy Storage Batteries”. Responsibilities include the management oversight of these research projects and related reporting and knowledge translation activities as specified in the research contract guidelines/requirements.

Responsibilities

Project Management support to assist in ongoing management, implementation and reporting/accountability requirements of Professor Nazar’s grants/contracts/awards:

• Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
  • Manage and/or support the planning, development and implementation of Professor Nazar’s research projects
  • Manage and develop in-depth understanding of the specific accountabilities associated with the various research projects for which project management is being provided, and ensure these accountabilities are being met as per the contract guidelines and requirements
  • Understand and adhere to university policies and procedures as they relate to the research grants, financial management, procurement services and human resources
  • Responsible for helping with the recruitment of qualified project members
  • Supervise, schedule the student /project/lab members working on the various research projects
  • Manage and oversee the budget and quarterly reporting ensuring funds are spent on time, appropriately, and as designated in the project budget spreadsheets and research descriptions
  • Communicate with the agencies whose funds are being matched in the research projects as needed
  • Engage with communications offices regarding press information on the research
  • Provide general problem-solving and oversight with respect to budgetary allocations, submission of deliverables and progress reports, correspondence with external sponsors to ensure effective performance monitoring of Professor Nazar’s research projects
  • Work closely with the PI, Professor Nazar, ensuring the operations of the project are running smoothly and deliverables are being met and or exceeded
  • Collaborate in the generation of reports and grant proposals
  • Identifies areas of risks in projects and consults with Professor Nazar and others to determine mitigation strategies
  • Refined professional judgement, effectively interpreting queries and developing appropriate solutions
  • Requires minimal coaching or unstructured problems and capable of considering implications of actions;Manage multiple priorities effectively and meets deadlines with little direction or supervision

Financial Administration Support:

• Collectively with Professor Nazar develops and monitor budgets for the purpose of decision-making regarding the project work plans and resource allocations, respecting funding guidelines
• Approves research purchase invoices in Unit 4
• Approves the research cost center for casual hire research staff in Unit 4
• Runs research budget reports in Unit 4 to check for balances and notifies Professor Nazar of any concerns or issues it with the accounts
• Assists with running actual transaction reports in collaboration with the Chemistry Financial Officer and Professor Nazar’s Administrative Assistant for account audit requests from the Office of Research

Qualifications

• Completion of an MSC or PhD degree and/or equivalent related experience which provides strong knowledge of a research environment
• 2 to 4+ years of progressively responsible experience in project management and administration
• Demonstrated experience with budget development
• Demonstrated experience with managing people and Human Resource processes
• Demonstrated ability for attention to detail
• Extensive experience with grants and/or contract proposal development (coordination, budgets)
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures for research grants, financial and human resource management is an asset
• 1 – 2 years of industrial experience
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Manage large research projects with various internal and external stakeholders
  • Manage and problem-solve with a large research group
  • Take a proactive approach in making sure deliverables are met; and
  • Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, senior university administrators, and external partners/agencies
• Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, relationship building, consultation, presentation, analytical, leadership and organizational skills
• Strong proficiency with a variety of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, database management is required; MS Office (Word and Excel) – intermediate
• Have knowledge of and can navigate relevant UW policies and processes, including staff hiring, graduate student support, procurement, and Finance procedures would be an asset
• Hours of work may vary depending on research need

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