Research Project Manager

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Part time position (.5 FTE)

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Reporting to Cluster Leads and working within the context of a research culture and in accordance with established policies and procedures, vision and values of UBC’s Research Excellence Cluster Initiative, this position oversees and manages a variety of duties in the development, writing, submission and management of grants at UBC, either initiated by individual or groups of Principal Investigators. A major focus of this position involves directing projects and grants as well as compiling reports on progress/milestones, tracking budget utilization, and compiling and analyzing project management data to support project proposals and reports. This position also leads and delegates communication within and from the project team to stakeholders, providing an important liaison role in the project team.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Cluster Leads of the Eminence Clusters of Research Excellence on Solar Energy for Net Zero. Funding for the project has been secured for a 3-year period ending in April, 2026.

Work Performed

Manages multi-scope research excellence program, including project conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting to ensure multi-year project commitments are being met effectively and efficiently.

Leads, develops and implements research plans including, schedules, timelines, and budgets for multiple knowledge translation and outreach activities.

Identifies, problem solves, and implements the removal of barriers for successful project activities, with emphasis on resolving issues and facilitating collaborative relationships between researchers, collaborators, funding agencies, and external stakeholders. Identifies interdependencies between various groups and projects.

Develops and implements documents such as terms of references, operating policies and procedures, etc.

Develops, manages, and analyzes the financial records of a multi-scope research initiative by forecasting, implementing, and monitoring the project budget; works in conjunction with the cluster leadership in making various financial decisions and grant allocation to various knowledge translation events, sponsorship, research awards, and other undertakings and opportunities that fall under the mandate of the research program.

Develops and implements project proposals and reports, collects and compiles data, conducts analyses, and prepares reports on various program metrics through charts, tables and figures.

Reports on project progress.

Develops and manages project financial records of over $500,000 and liaising with finance managers to ensure funds are spent within UBC policies and guidelines.

Leads and ensures that project objectives and milestones are achieved and advises the program leads and involved Principal Investigators on recommendations.

Develops, implements and disseminates documents such as budgets and budget justifications, and project renewals.

Develops, in conjunction with the project leads, written progress, quarterly, annual and final reports, for projects, grants and collaborations by providing updated budget summary/milestone information.

Oversees the preparation and dissemination of program activities; develops content for websites, promotional materials, visual communications, etc.

Supports the logistics related to organizing cluster meetings, seminars, conference, as well as travel for cluster personnel and invited speakers

Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction and support of cluster leadership but works independently with wide latitude. This position will be expected to develop work plans and timetables and to exercise judgement and initiative on duties. This position is accountable for the progress of the research initiative, and the effective and efficient execution of program milestones and commitments. Work will be reviewed against the overall strategic plan and project deliverables and objectives.

Supervision Given

Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Principal Investigators will monitor the work of this position. Errors or poor judgement could seriously compromise the quality of the research and result in delays in completing projects. Errors in the management of the project budget, schedules and resources would result in a lack of accountability to granting bodies and of financial and other resources that are essential to complete the project. Additionally, serious compromises to the quality of the research will jeopardize future funding opportunities. Failure to clearly represent and communicate the work of the research team could result in severed relationships with the funding agency and collaborators. The work of the Research Program Manager must be completed at a high level of accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications

Minimum

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

Minimum of three years’ experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred

Undergraduate degree preferably in Science, Engineering, or Business.

Post-graduate degree is strongly preferred, with a minimum MSc in a related Science, or Engineering field.

Demonstrated experience coordinating research projects in a research setting or in project management or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience in managing and supporting complex research projects.

Experience in project management methodologies and principles, project evaluation and monitoring, and multiple project interaction and integration.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments within a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated organizational, analytical and decision-making skills.

Demonstrated ability to organize work and communicate effectively.

Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail skills.

Demonstrated communication skills both verbal and written.

Demonstrated computer literacy (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint; website management; drawing software).

Ability to work under pressure of deadlines.

Ability to accept responsibility and work independently.