"MICROBENetNet Research Coordinator"

MICROBENet^Net Research Coordinator

Position Overview

We are seeking to hire a Project Coordinator who will play a central role in the coordination, integration, and planning of activities across the MICROBENet^Net research network. Working closely with the PIs and Steering Committee, the coordinator will support both in-person and virtual programming, facilitate engagement among participating investigators, and coordinate early-career researcher (ECR - grad students, postdoc, etc.) activities across the network.

The Project Coordinator will assist with the planning, organization, and implementation of MICROBENet^Net components, including research exchanges, research colloquia, virtual programming, and follow-on meetings at international conferences. A core responsibility of this position is the planning and facilitation of online activities that support sustained engagement among nodes, as well as coordination and leadership of early career researcher activities in alignment with network goals.

The Project Coordinator will serve as a primary point of contact among PIs, ECRs, and network participants. Responsibilities include managing applications for research exchanges and network activities; organizing materials for review by the PIs and Steering Committee; coordinating logistics for meetings, travel, and events; and supporting transparent, equitable review processes.

The coordinator will develop and maintain a database of MICROBENet^Net participants, ECRs researchers, and network nodes. In addition, the coordinator will disseminate, collect, and synthesize evaluations and assessment materials required for NSF reporting and internal program review. The coordinator will also lead the development and maintenance of MICROBENet^Net communications and online community platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom meetings, and website) to enhance connectivity, collaboration, and visibility across the network.

The Research Coordinator will be hired by the Kansas Biological Survey, Center for Ecological Research, and will be based at the University of Kansas.

Job Description

35% – Develop, maintain, and strategically plan MICROBENet^Net communications and online community infrastructure (Slack, Zoom programming, and website), including facilitating virtual meetings and online engagement among PIs, ECRs, and network participants.

30% – Organize application materials, communicate with applicants, and provide logistical and coordination support for node activities, ECR research exchanges, travel awards, meetings, and conferences, in close collaboration with the PIs and Steering Committee.

20% – Coordinate early-career researcher activities across the network, including supporting graduate and postdoctoral leadership, facilitating communication among ECRs, and assisting with the planning of professional development and networking activities.

10% – Assist with the development, dissemination, collection, and synthesis of documentation required for NSF reporting, program assessment, and network evaluation. This includes supporting the submission of communications to the larger ecological community.

5% – Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of MICROBENet^Net researchers, early career scholars, and network nodes.

Position Requirements

• Some degree of travel to project meetings is required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one (1) year of experience in field of study OR high school diploma and four (4) years of related experience.

• Experience working in multi-institutional and/or international research environments, including communication across time zones and collaborative teams as shown in application materials.

• Organization and written communication skills as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience coordinating activities among multiple institutions, groups based in different time zones, and/or countries where English is not the first language as shown in application materials.

• Experience coordinating and working within the academic science community as shown in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in Ecology and/or Evolutionary Biology OR a minimum of four (4) in project management.

• Experience supporting or coordinating a multi-institutional research network, center, or collaborative program as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience facilitating online communities, virtual meetings, or collaborative platforms with tools such as Slack, Zoom, etc. as shown in application materials.

• Experience working with postdoctoral researchers or early-career scientists, including coordination, mentoring support, or program development as evidenced in application materials.

• Experience with University of Kansas administrative systems such as FITC, Concur, Financial Service Portal or OAC as shown in application materials.

• Experience with NSF-funded programs, reporting requirements, or evaluation processes as evidenced in application materials.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.

• Resume

• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday, March 2, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.