Job Details

Research Project Coordinator, BioPACIFIC MIP

Position Number: 6616212
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Project Coordinator, BioPACIFIC MIP

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Research Project Coordinator Salary range: $73,248 to $92,330 Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: November 1, 2025 or later. Position duration: One year Application Window

Open date: October 1, 2025

Most recent review date: Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Executive Director at UCSB of the NSF BioPACIFIC MIP, and working closely with the Executive Director at UCLA and the BioPACIFIC MIP User Coordinator, the Research Project Coordinator will track and manage proposals and projects submitted through the BioPACIFIC MIP's User Program. The Research Project Coordinator will (1) facilitate discussions between prospective users and the technical team to assess project feasibility and logistics, (2) provide guidance to users on proposal development, submission, and revision, (3) manage proposal intake, review, and disposition process, (4) coordinate visits by external researchers to BioPACIFIC MIP, and (5) work with users to track project progress and reporting.

The BioPACIFIC MIP Research Project Coordinator will have a Ph.D. in Chem, Chemical Engineering, Materials, Biology, Bioengineering, or similar field. This technical expertise is required in order to communicate with potential, current, and former users of the BioPACIFIC MIP facilities about available resources, proposal feasibility, potential collaborations, project progress, and project outputs such as publications or patents.

Duties focused on increasing the technical impact of the BioPACIFIC MIP include:

Participate in trade shows to raise center visibility

Participate in technical conferences such as American Chemical Society, and Materials Research Society to raise center visibility and recruit users

Partner with BioPACIFIC MIP directors to develop new proposals and strategies to obtain resources necessary to further increase the impact of the MIP

Help identify and develop targeted calls for user proposals

Develop machine assisted product screening tools to help bridge the gap between synthetic biology and synthetic chemists MIP users

Duties focused on user engagement with the BioPACIFIC MIP include:

Refine workflows to connect users planning to submit BioPACIFIC MIP research proposals to BioPACIFIC MIP personnel for preliminary technical discussions

In partnership with the MIP Directors, refine workflows by which BioPACIFIC MIP user proposals are evaluated for feasibility

Manage and optimize workflows for connecting users to facilities, equipment, and staff once they are at BioPACIFIC MIP for research

Lead engagement efforts after users complete their research at BioPACIFIC MIP, including creating Highlight slides that will be reported to the NSF on a quarterly basis, incorporated in the BioPACIFIC MIP Annual Report, and showcased on the BioPACIFIC MIP website and newsletter

Collect statistics and synthesize narrative for the NSF Annual Report, including on user project outcomes, products, and impacts

Program management duties include:

Coordinate the collection and submission of required business forms from users coming to access the facilities

Coordinate the collection and submission of required MTA forms for sample requests

Manage the logistics of schedule and travel for the users coming to UCSB

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in Chem, Chemical Engineering, Materials, Biology, Bioengineering, or similar field at time of application

Preferred qualifications

Demonstrated experience developing machine learning models for applications in chemistry, biology, or materials
Experience in project management - tracking project goals and deliverables, working with project leads to track progress and develop reports
Experience in project development - working with possible project leads to define a scope of work, identify resources, assess feasibility, and guide a project to initiation
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented work environment.
Ability to work creatively and independently and follow through on assignment with minimal or no directions
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with faculty, staff, students, visitors, and public
Skill in prioritizing workload, assessing timelines, coordinating numerous assignments/projects simultaneously under heavy workload
Ability to utilize a variety of communication methods to move projects forward in a timely manner
Familiarity with procedures and protocols relevant to university research processes and laboratories

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide name, telephone and email address for all references.

References will be contacted if selected as a finalist.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03022

Help contact: debbie@cnsi.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

UC Santa Barbara is unable to sponsor employment visas of any kind for this position.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, Califormia

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03022