Project Program Manager in Jonesboro, Arkansas at Arkansas State University

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Position Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF), the granting agency, requires a full-time program manager for multi-state, multi-institutional projects that require coordination across campuses, jurisdictions, and principal investigators.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with faculty, staff, students, and project personnel, including faculty at all four campuses (A-State, University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and University of Nebraska Lincoln)
• Act as logistical lead and liaison among the campuses for a multi-institution effort
• Plan and coordinate activities during face-to-face meetings
• Take notes during online bimonthly project meetings
• Interface with project external evaluators at the A-State Office of Behavioral Research and Evaluation
• Write and submit an annual report and project final reports to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in consultation with PI
• Maintain a project website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook pages, and program social media presence
• Work with PI on writing a program outcomes and findings publication, formatted for a peer-reviewed scientific or education journal
• Other duties may be assigned as required to make the project a success

Project Description:

The nation's agricultural heartland experiences frequent and unpredictable reductions in rainfall that negatively affect crop yields. Reduced crop yields place the livelihoods of farmers at risk and increase the price of domestically produced food for citizens. The overarching goal of this project is to develop a novel, fungal-based technology aimed at improving drought-tolerance in rice and wheat. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are required by crop plants for improved yields. However, many of the most beneficial fungal species are lost from soil due to modern agricultural practices. This collaborative project brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists from three EPSCoR jurisdictions of major agricultural-based economies. The research team will develop crop-specific consortia of AM fungal species designed to maximize food production when faced with drought. This project is led by Arkansas State University (a primarily undergraduate institution, PUI) in collaboration with University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, and Kansas State University.

This use-inspired award uses a multi-dimensional approach that combines plant-fungal experimentation, plant physiology, and genomics to discover the optimal AM fungal plant genotype combinations for improved drought tolerance. The effectiveness of assembled fungal combinations on rice and wheat yields will be tested in field experiments that manipulate water availability. The team will also evaluate farmers' willingness to adopt AM fungal inoculants and evaluate the socioeconomic factors influencing adoption, perceived benefits, and barriers to implementation. This award will also bolster the STEM infrastructure in Arkansas, Kansas, and Nebraska by improving workforce development in novel, agro-based solutions to improve the lives of farmers and consumers. The research funded by this award will provide STEM training and workforce development for young scientists and socio-economists, as well as educational outreach to local high schools, local citizens, and industry partners.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Logistical prowess to coordinate events

Ability to work with faculty, staff, post-docs and students, coordinating a large project across 4 institutions in 3 states

Ability to prioritize tasks for effective time management

Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and confidentiality

General Days/Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Regular and Reliable Attendance
Additional hours as needed/requested

Other:

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelors degree in a business, humanities, communications, or education field is required for the position.

A masters degree in public administration or public relations is preferred.

Demonstrated work experience as a grant administrator, particularly for a large, multi-institutional award, is desired.