Job Details
Posting Number: RTF00213PO26
USC Market Title: Administrative Coordinator
Link to USC Market Title: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156185
Business Title (Internal Title): Research Operations Coordinator
Campus: Columbia
Work County: Richland
College/Division: College of Engineering and Computing
Department: CEC College of Engineering and Computing
Anticipated Hiring Range: $44,296 - $60,000
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Work Schedule:
- Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position: Staff Time-Limited (STL)
Basis: 12 months
Job Search Category: Administrative
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
South Carolina Retirement: Yes
State Insurance Programs: Yes
Annual Leave: Yes
Sick Leave: Yes
Advertised Job Summary
The purpose of the Research Operations Coordinator is to provide administrative and operational support for the college’s research administration functions. This role plays a key part in maintaining organized, efficient, and consistent processes across the research lifecycle, supporting both pre-award and post-award activities. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and working closely with the Pre-Award and Post-Award teams, the Coordinator helps manage internal workflows, maintain shared systems and documentation, and support day-to-day operations of the research office. This position is primarily internally focused, with occasional interaction with faculty and departmental staff.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education research administration.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, electronic research administration systems and enterprise financial systems.
- Familiarity with tracking tools such as Smartsheet.
- Experience in administrative coordination, operations, or research administration.
- Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed records.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Financial acumen
- Attention to detail
- Customer service mindset
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Confidentiality and professionalism
Job Duties
Operational & Administrative Support:
Provide administrative and coordination support to the Assistant Dean for Research Operations and research office leadership, helping to ensure smooth and effective day-to-day functioning. Assist in organizing and maintaining operations across both pre-award and post-award activities, while managing and prioritizing workload in alignment with competing deadlines and funding cycles. Contribute to ongoing process improvements aimed at strengthening service delivery, operational efficiency, and compliance.
Essential Function: Yes
Percentage of Time: 30
File & Systems Management:
Manage and maintain shared electronic file systems, such as OneDrive and SharePoint, to ensure consistency, accessibility, and adherence to record-keeping standards. Develop and sustain organized file structures and document management processes to support research administration activities. Support the tracking of proposals, awards, and operational workflows using tools such as Smartsheet, contributing to improved visibility and coordination across functions.
Essential Function: Yes
Percentage of Time: 15
Documentation & Process Support:
Assist in developing, formatting, and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and internal guidance documents to support consistent practices across research administration. Contribute to process improvement efforts by organizing materials and tracking implementation steps, helping to ensure initiatives are carried through effectively. Support the preparation of communications and resource materials for faculty and staff as needed, promoting clarity and accessibility of information.
Essential Function: Yes
Percentage of Time: 15
Pre-Award Administration:
In coordination with Pre-Award Specialists, support the preparation of proposal submissions by facilitating routing through internal systems for institutional approvals and assisting with the completion of sponsor-required ancillary documents. Coordinate the collection of personnel materials, subaward documentation, and other pre-award requirements as assigned, helping to ensure timely and complete proposal submission processes.
Essential Function: Yes
Percentage of Time: 20
Post-Award Administration:
Assist with the internal processing of post-award actions, including rebudgeting requests, no-cost extensions, prior approval requests, award closeout activities, and other assigned transactions. In coordination with Post-Award Administrators, support the submission of financial correction documents—such as journal vouchers and payroll updates—within USC’s PeopleSoft system. Coordinate the completion of time and effort certifications, summer salary requests, and other related financial activities to help ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Essential Function: Yes
Percentage of Time: 20
Hazardous weather category: Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.: No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 11/01/2026
Position End Date: 10/31/2027
Job Open Date: 09/14/2026
Job Close Date: 09/27/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Applicants are required to upload a copy of their resume’ and cover letter. Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by September 27, 2026.
Quicklink for Posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213100
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Working at University of South Carolina
With more than 200 years of history and tradition, the University of South Carolina is redefining itself for decades to come. There's never been a better time to be at South Carolina, the state's flagship university and one of only 62 public universities to receive the Carnegie Foundation's highest designation for research.
The University is located in the heart of South Carolina in the capital city of Columbia, which is the nexus of government, a thriving arts and culture center, a venue for big-time Southeastern Conference intercollegiate athletics, and a community that is reinventing itself with redevelopment projects citywide. Much of the development is tied to land along the scenic, slow-moving Congaree River. Working with government, business, and community leaders, Carolina has developed a unified plan that will allow the University to expand from its origins on the historic Horseshoe to its future-Innovista, a research and innovation district that will stretch to the banks of the Congaree.
Innovista represents a new vision for research by creating a vibrant, urban community where students and researchers, including those from private firms, will live, work, learn, and play.
Chartered in 1801, Carolina began classes in 1805 with nine students and a single building, Rutledge College. Today, the Horseshoe is on the National Register of Historic Places, with 10 of its 11 buildings dating to the 19th century. Those renovated buildings house, among other areas, the South Carolina Honors College and Undergraduate Admissions.
South Carolina's faculty garnered a record $173.3 million in federal, state, and private funding for research, outreach, and training programs in 2005-06.
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