Job Summary
The Center for National Security Initiatives (NSI) seeks a
Laboratory and Research Program Coordinator to support a growing
portfolio of research in electromagnetics, radio-frequency
engineering, quantum sensing, and related national security
technologies.
The position will work closely with the research lead and members
of the research team to coordinate laboratory activities, organize
project information and schedules, support proposal and report
development, and serve as a primary point of coordination between
the research group and NSI and university support
organizations.
The position is expected to begin at approximately 20% FTE, with
the potential to increase over time, up to full-time, based on
growth in the research portfolio, available sponsored funding, and
programmatic need. Responsibilities and workload will be scaled to
the level of effort available.
Job Summary:
The Laboratory and Research Program Coordinator will provide
hands-on coordination and organizational support for an expanding
research laboratory and associated sponsored-research
portfolio.
At the initial 20% level of effort, the position will focus on the
highest-priority activities needed to keep the research group
organized and operating effectively. These include maintaining
project and laboratory schedules; tracking actions, milestones,
deliverables, and administrative requirements; coordinating
meetings and research activities; supporting the preparation and
assembly of proposals, technical reports, presentations, and
sponsor updates; and helping research personnel navigate
established NSI and university administrative processes.
The coordinator will serve as a liaison between the research group
and appropriate NSI and university personnel in areas such as
project management, contracts and grants, financial administration,
purchasing, human resources, information technology, information
security, export control, and communications. The position will
coordinate with university personnel who hold formal responsibility
or institutional authority for these functions.
As the research portfolio and available funding grow, the position
may assume additional responsibility for laboratory operations,
research program coordination, proposal development, sponsor
engagement, student and researcher coordination, and other
activities appropriate to an expanded level of effort.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
The Center for National Security Initiatives (NSI) at the
University of Colorado Boulder provides high-impact national
security research and workforce development enabled by world-class
research scientists and essential infrastructure. The Center
addresses the ever-increasing demand for qualified and experienced
defense professionals in Colorado and across the nation by creating
a prime opportunity for on-demand research collaboration in the
national security research enterprise.
At NSI, our researchers both extend and deepen the national
security research done across the University. We create a wide
range of opportunities for training students at all levels of
studies and create a pathway to postgraduate jobs and
service.
NSI is committed to excellence through diversity by creating a
welcoming and inclusive environment, enhancing the success and
inclusion of all students, staff and faculty, and deepening our
ability to share and engage with diverse perspectives.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Laboratory and Research Activity Coordination:
- Coordinate schedules and activities associated with the
research laboratory and its projects.
Maintain a consolidated calendar of important research
activities, meetings, sponsor engagements, demonstrations,
conferences, project milestones, and deliverable dates.
Coordinate meetings involving research staff, faculty
collaborators, students, sponsors, and university partners.
Track action items and follow up with responsible team members
to support timely completion.
Coordinate laboratory access, demonstrations, visitors,
equipment activities, and other operational needs in collaboration
with the appropriate personnel.
Support onboarding and integration of students, research
personnel, and collaborators into laboratory activities as directed
by the research lead and consistent with university
requirements.
Research Project Coordination:
- Maintain organized records of project objectives, schedules,
milestones, deliverables, personnel assignments, and upcoming
requirements.
- Assist the research lead and project teams with monitoring
progress across multiple sponsored and internally funded
activities.
- Identify upcoming deadlines, dependencies, or administrative
requirements and bring them to the attention of the appropriate
project lead or NSI support function.
- Coordinate with NSI project managers when formal
project-management support is assigned to an effort.
- Help ensure that project information needed by researchers,
project managers, and administrative personnel is organized and
readily available.
Proposal, Report, and Technical Material Support:
- Coordinate development schedules and contributions for research
proposals, white papers, technical reports, sponsor presentations,
and other project materials.
- Assemble and organize inputs from investigators, research
staff, students, and university support personnel.
- Assist with editing, formatting, document preparation, graphics
coordination, and production of proposal and report materials.
- Track required technical and administrative contributions and
follow up with responsible participants.
- Help maintain reusable descriptions of research capabilities,
laboratory resources, technical accomplishments, and other approved
material for proposals and presentations.
- Coordinate with NSI communications personnel on website or
external communications describing laboratory activities and
accomplishments.
Administrative and University Coordination:
- Serve as a primary administrative point of contact for the
research group and help route needs to the appropriate NSI or
university office.
- Coordinate with NSI Operations, the NSI PMO, the Office of
Contracts and Grants, financial administrators, OIT,
information-security personnel, export-control personnel, and other
university offices as appropriate.
- Help researchers assemble information needed for purchasing,
travel, software requests, laboratory access, agreements,
compliance activities, and other established university
processes.
- Track the status of requests and follow up with the appropriate
university personnel.
- Assist the research lead with organizing administrative
requirements and deadlines across the research portfolio.
Sponsor and Collaboration Support:
- Help organize sponsor meetings, laboratory demonstrations,
technical exchanges, and visits.
- Coordinate logistics and preparation of materials for sponsor
engagements.
- Maintain appropriate records of follow-up actions and
commitments arising from meetings.
- Support communication among research personnel, academic
collaborators, government and industry partners, and NSI personnel
at the direction of the research lead.
- Assist with identifying and organizing information relevant to
future research opportunities and collaborations.
What You Should Know
- Travel out-of-state may be required.
- Irregular work hours including evenings and weekends may be
required.
What We Can Offer
- The annual salary for this 20% time position is $20,000 -
$23,000.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through
the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Master's degree in engineering, science, research
administration, project management, business, or a related
field.
- 6+ years of experience supporting or coordinating university
research programs, technical, laboratory, engineering, and other
complex project activities.
- Experience supporting sponsored research projects, proposal
development, laboratory operations, or technical program
management.
- Experience working in a university research environment.
- Experience with university administration and operations.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage
multiple projects, programs, activities, deadlines, and
stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with researchers,
faculty, students, administrative professionals, and external
partners.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately identify
when an issue requires action by an authorized university office or
subject-matter expert.
What You Will Need
What We Would Like You to Have
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
- Experience working in a government laboratory, federally funded
research organization, or technology-focused research
organization.
- Familiarity with research involving government or defense
sponsors.
- Experience working with technical teams in RF engineering,
electromagnetics, quantum technologies, aerospace, computer science
or related fields.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and activities
across organizational boundaries.
- Active or eligible for a U.S. Department of Defense security
clearance at the Secret level or higher.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials as individual
files:
- Current resume/CV
- Cover letter
- (Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are
selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU
Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online
vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United
States, please submit an English-translated version (if applicable)
as an Optional document.
Please apply by
September 2, 2026 for full
consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via
email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through
CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu