"Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Research Program Manager"

Department Summary

Bridgewater State University’s (BSU) Undergraduate Research Program exemplifies the mission of the university by providing students in all majors with opportunities to engage in faculty-mentored research and creative scholarship that deepens their learning, professional readiness, and sense of belonging in the academic community. The Staff Assistant plays a vital role in advancing this mission by managing the program’s budget operations, organizing BSU’s annual student-research symposia, and co-coordinating student grants and conference travel. In centering racial equity and social justice, the Staff Assistant works to ensure that research opportunities are accessible and welcoming to all students. Ideal for a highly organized and collaborative budget- and project-manager, this role offers the opportunity to help shape a nationally recognized undergraduate research program that aims to fulfill BSU’s overarching commitment to student success and providing transformative opportunities to every student, one student at a time.

Position Summary

The Staff Assistant: Undergraduate Research Program Manager plays a vital role in the program’s mission to provide students in all majors with equitable opportunities to engage in faculty-mentored research and creative scholarship that deepens their learning, professional readiness, and sense of belonging in the academic community. The person in this position manages the Undergraduate Research program’s budget operations, organizes BSU’s large-scale, annual student-research symposia, and co-coordinates student grants and conference travel. In centering racial equity and social justice, the Staff Assistant works to ensure that research opportunities are accessible and welcoming to all students.

Full-time, 12 month position, exempt, APA unit position
Monday - Friday, with Flexibility to work 8:30 am- 4:30pm, 8am-4pm, or 9am-5pm
(Ability to work some Saturdays and evenings, as needed.)

This position may be eligible for hybrid work after the initial 90 days, in accordance with BSU’s remote work policy.

Position Type

APA Professional

Essential Duties

Budget Management

• Track and facilitate funding for project and travel grants, student stipends, and faculty-mentor compensation.
• Place orders for research supplies, request purchase orders, and prepare reimbursements for students.
• Monitor multiple budget lines and ensure alignment with university and state procurement regulations.

Grant Oversight

In collaboration with the Director of Undergraduate Research, manage the program’s grants:

• Maintain data for over 300 student applications annually for Semester Project Grants and Conference Travel Grants.
• Draft customized award letters
• Maintain records of all funding awarded, including student and faculty information, award amounts, and funds expended.

Symposium Organization

Organize the planning and execution of BSU’s Adrian Tinsley Program (ATP) Symposium, Mid-Year Symposium (MYS) and Student Arts & Research Symposium (StARS) (both in-person and online), including:

• Develop project timelines and manage logistics in collaboration with campus partners and faculty mentors.
• Organize several hundred student abstracts by college and department.
• With the graduate assistant, design schedules for concurrent sessions.
• Manage poster submissions and off-campus poster printing.
• Provide guidance to student presenters and troubleshoot logistical issues on event days.
• Use long-term planning tools to track timelines and event logistics.

Student Conference Travel Coordination

Provide logistical support for approximately 200 student-researchers per year who are presenting at academic conferences, including:

• Register students for conferences.
• Work with the Travel Office to manage reservations for flights and hotels.
• Prepare credit-card authorizations, per diem forms, and reimbursement requests.

Equity-Focused Recruitment & Student Support

Work to ensure inclusive participation in undergraduate research through intentional outreach and student support, such as through the following ways:

• Hold info sessions at the Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity (LGCIE), Pride Center, Student Accessibility Services (SAS), and other equity-focused groups to speak to diverse groups of students about undergraduate research.
• Design inclusive and accessible outreach materials in print and online.
• Represent the program at Admissions and Orientation events.
• Meet with students wanting to learn more about undergraduate research.

Student Employment Supervision

Hire and supervise student employees in the following areas:

• Student-workers and interns supporting the Undergraduate Research program
• Research Interns who assist faculty with research

Data Management & Program Assessment

Collaborate on managing and analyzing Undergraduate Research data, including but not limited to:

• Collect and help analyze quantitative and qualitative program-review and assessment data.
• Contribute to internal reports and strategic planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience to fulfill position responsibilities
• Budget-management experience
• Project-management experience
• Knowledge of Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a diverse college student population
• Experience with event planning
• Experience in the areas of academic coaching or academic advising
• Knowledge of online platforms for budgets (e.g., Banner Finance), travel (e.g., Concur), and/or virtual conferences
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to equity and inclusion

Salary Range

$57,000-$60,000

Posting Number

S01289P

Dates

Open Date: 01/13/2026
Close Date: 02/15/2026
Open Until Filled: No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position: *a minimum of one (1) employment history entry. *a minimum of three (3) professional reference entries.

To apply, visit https://jobs.bridgew.edu/postings/31856