Research Coordinator - Oak Ridge Innovation Institute - UTK

The University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) at the University of Tennessee seeks to hire one full-time Research Coordinator to provide technical support and assistance to faculty and staff in the preparation of applications for external funding. UT-ORII is jointly led by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to strategically align the expertise and infrastructure of both organizations to usher in world-class interdisciplinary research and graduate education.UT-ORII Research Services provides concierge level support to approximately 100 research faculty and staff scientists. This position is expected to perform complex functions associated with proposal preparation and review and will work closely with UT-ORII faculty to ensure successful proposal submission. Functions include faculty education/training, proposal and budget development, solicitation interpretation, proposal assembly, compliance review, and ensuring conformance with university, state and federal policy. UT-ORII is committed to the professional development of its team and encourages attendance at NCURA, SRA or other member organizations pertinent to the research administration field.This position can be fully remote, in-person or hybrid, with occasional travel to Knoxville, TN. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine. Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community! Required QualificationsEducation: Bachelor’s Degree in a related fieldExperience: Minimum of 3 years’ experience interpreting and applying federal regulations relative to sponsored relative to sponsored research in a university environmentExperience with grant and contract policies of state, federal, private, and non-profit funding agencies Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and tactfully with personnel at all levelsKnowledge, Skills, Abilities:Superior critical analyses abilities; keen attention to detailExcellent written and verbal communication skillsOutstanding, proactive problem-solving skillsSuperior customer service skillsAbility to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlinesExcellent organizational skillsProject management skillsExcellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office softwareWorking knowledge of myriad funding agency-specific guidelines relative to sponsored researchDemonstrated ability to work and/or lead within a teamDemonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and tactfully with personnel at all levelsApplicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.Preferred QualificationsEducation: Master’s degree, Certified Research Administrator (CRA) CertificationExperience: Experience with grant and contract policies of state, federal, private, and non-profit funding agencies Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of uniform guidance. Knowledge of and experience working in institutions of higher education andKnowledge of university policies and procedures. Knowledge of Cayuse. Work Location Location: Knoxville, TNOnsite, hybrid or remoteThis position can be designated as fully remote for the qualified candidate, meaning most activities will be performed from an agreed upon off-campus location. Some in-person activities such as team meetings may be required on occasion.Compensation and Benefits UT market range: MR11Find more information on the UT Market Range structure hereFind more information on UT Benefits hereApplication Instructions To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:ResumeCover LetterAbout The College/Department/Division UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL’s best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary graduate education, and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute’s current research areas (Convergent Research Initiatives) include Circular Bioeconomy Systems, Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction, Materials for Fusion and Extreme Environments, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies and Transportation. To learn more about UT-ORII, visit utorii.com.This position will be responsible for the following activities in support of the Research Services unit:Proposal DevelopmentProvide technical assistance to faculty, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students relative to all aspects of proposal support including dissemination of funding opportunities, analysis and interpretation of funding agency opportunities (e.g., solicitations, request for proposals, program guidelines), grants management system(s) support, proposal preparation timeline(s) and checklists, budget development, facilitation of internal/external collaborative arrangements, and proposal submission assistance to the funding agencyCollaborate with internal and external constituencies in order to obtain and review necessary components for a successful applicationCoordinate and review subrecipient documentation required by sponsor and by UTK Coordinate the strategic development of large proposals (multi-year, multi-investigator projects in excess of $2 million/year); identify senior participants and research partners, both internal and external to the University (e.g., other universities, national laboratories, private industry)Provide rule-driven copy-editing (language, mechanics, and conformance to guidelines of publisher or funding agency) for research proposalsEnsure alignment between technical application and budget plans; ensure adequate approvals for resources pledged by the University have been obtained prior to submissionEnsure the resolution of all sponsored programs related issues in a timely manner and serve as a liaison between UT-ORII faculty and UTK’s Division of Research Administration.Serve as a subject matter expert on proposal guidelines, funder requirements, university and federal guidelines, including 2 CFR 200Administration and ServiceServes as a backup reviewer & approver for the Manager of Research Services for all external funding proposals on behalf of the Institute – work with faculty in the submission of just in time, or post submission requests to DRA and sponsor.Deliver research related training to new UT-ORII faculty (e.g. budget development, cost principles, compliance, RFP review)Serve as an Institute liaison with multiple units on campus (Departments, Colleges, UT Sister campuses, ORIED, DRA, etc.) to facilitate collaborative research activities and successful proposal submissionsParticipate in university committees to discuss sponsored programs related issues.Support UT-ORII in continuing relationships and collaborations between the University of Tennessee and ORNL.Full timePosting Date: 2026-07-29