Position Function:
The Forest and Wildlife Research Center/College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University is seeking to fill a 12 month, fulltime, Contract & Grant Specialist position within the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts.
This position manages and provides support for pre and/or post-award activities within the Sustainable Bioproducts department for extramural projects including proposal development assistance, accounting reconciliations and forecasts, contract and grant management.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
One of three departments in the College of Forest Resources, the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts activities include undergraduate/graduate instructions, research and service programs in natural resources.
Area of Specialization:
Contracts and Grants
Anticipated Appointment Date:
March 1, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Incumbent will be responsible for assisting Principal Investigators (PIs) in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals. Ensuring all applications comply with agency and university guidelines. Assisting PIs with adherence to funding agency requirements (budget requirements, bio sketches, current & pending support, other required forms, cost sharing obligations, etc.) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness. Coordinating with PIs and pre-award and/or post-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary sub award documents for proposals.
Ensuring proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review. Providing monthly sponsored account reports and balances, reviews expenditures for compliance, resolves accounting issues, and prepares spending projections for awards. Monitoring proposals and award (non-financial/financial) status and advising PIs on requirements and deadlines associated with reports, research protection and protocols. Advising PIs and assisting with budget adjustments, modifications, and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements. Assisting PIs with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities and proposals. Staying informed of sponsor updates and changes relative to grants administration.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
Experience: One year of relevant experience.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Particular consideration will be given to candidate with expertise, experience, and/or high potential in the topics outlined above along with demonstrated experience with grants and contracts.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Incumbent should be adept with the following skills and abilities:
• Ability to analyze budgetary line items for compliance with budget guidelines.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Information research skills.
• Database management skills.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Spreadsheet, database, and word processing skills mandatory.
• Knowledge of mathematics.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty and staff in area of expertise.
• Knowledge of federal, state and/or community funding sources and mechanisms.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, federal and university regulations.
• Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (OMB Circulars) and standard cost accounting.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Attention to detail.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Physical requirements:
1. No unusual physical requirements.
2. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
3. Frequent - Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours may be anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position.
4. Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands
5. Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 10 pounds
6. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically
7. Hearing requirements: Heavy telephone contact requires ability to hear and respond to telephone conversations
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu by attaching the following as a PDF: cover letter, copies of transcripts of all degrees, diplomas, and the complete contact information for at least three professional references. Applicant should redact their social security number if it appears on their academic transcript prior to submitting it online. Incomplete applications will be ineligible. Screening of applications will begin February 3, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. MS Teams/Skype/video conference Interviews may be requested. Anticipated hire date is March 1, 2026.
NOTE: Official transcripts of all degrees will be required upon employment.
Screening Date:
January 30, 2026, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
