Ocean Enterprise Research Associate III

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Ocean Enterprise Research Associate III.

Position Details

Location Marine Research Center

1030 West Pier, Port of Gulfport

Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501

United States

Division Generic Division

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded Yes

Pay Grade

E10

Posting Close Date December 31, 2024

Job Summary

This position helps coordinate research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) and training on ocean platforms and sensors including, but not limited to maritime systems, aerial systems, research vessels, remote sensing, and fixed or drifting profiling sensors, as well as develop and implement training for their use. The incumbent will also help assist a diverse staff of scientific and engineering managers, researchers, students, pilots, and support staff to execute multiple complex inter-disciplinary projects reaching across the University’s full complement of coastal and ocean activities as well as managing a diverse range of internal and external partnerships that will strengthen USM’s leadership in the emerging New Blue Economy.

The position includes managing financial databases for multiple programs/projects, including payroll, grant budget management, and purchasing. The incumbent will assist principal investigators with project management tasks, including employee time/effort certification, grant proposal development, auditing and tracking of inventoried equipment, administrative processes, procedures and professional travel coordination. The position will be located at the the Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise’s Marine Research Center (MRC), Gulfport, MS.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Helps oversee development, implementation and management of research projects including writing proposals, planning, statements of works, budgets, scheduling, report and manuscript preparation and dissemination of information through conferences and presentations. Provides technical and programmatic support to the Director of R&D for Ocean Enterprise, project leads/principal investigators other USM researchers and external partners.

• Coordinates procurement activities for the research programs including procurement card and purchase order purchases for faculty and staff. Reconcile monthly detail reports in SOARFIN for program grant and designated account expenditures. Provide financial management of research grants, including budgeting, revisions, and forecasting. Remain current on federal grant and contracting compliance requirements and performing other similar duties as required or assigned.

• Assists the Director of RDT&E and Training in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship programs, facilitate business development and partnerships, promote expansion of research infrastructure (classified and unclassified), technology transfer and commercialization activities as well as workforce training.

• Supervises the timeliness, quality, and quantity of work of Scientific and Engineering Managers, Technicians, Researchers, Students, and other research staff. Prepares work schedules, annual work plan and project budget requests; purchases equipment, commodities, serves as purchasing authority; monitors expenditures of funds allocated to project.

• Provides program/project management, with specific tasks including: managing time/effort reports; assisting principal investigators with proposal development; managing annual state inventory audits; assisting principal investigators with travel arrangements and reimbursements; coordinating staff, vessel and truck scheduling; assisting with general and project-specific data management.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Human Capital, IT, or Management or closely related field and a minimum of (3) years of experience in one or more of the following: budgeting activities/oversight technical writing, uncrewed systems, data analysis, program management, personnel management, or training program development/management. Valid Driver’s License is required. US Citizenship Required. Must be able to travel to various job sites in Mississippi or the US.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must have the ability to:

• Plan and organize research projects and effectively manage projects to achieve research objectives;

• Use MS Office proficiently, including MS Project.

• Experience with financial software and managing budgets; Knowledge of pre- and post- award grant processes

• Analyze, and interpret research periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures associated with research activities;

• Exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions;

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. in related field, PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, CRP (Certified ROI Professional) certification with a minimum of (3) years of experience in program and project analysis for workforce development or training solutions evaluations. Minimum of (3) years of experience in academic program administration, implementation, and support. Experience in planning and executing Budgeting, and Cost Management, Experience in defining training requirements and providing operational management.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 146 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.