Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Science & Grant Research Project Manager

Position Summary

Michigan State University is seeking a highly organized Grant Project Manager to coordinate a multi-institutional USDA AFRI SAS project led by Eric Patterson. The project brings together 18 Principal Investigators across 11 states to address herbicide resistance through integrated research, extension, and education activities.

The Project Manager will work closely with the Lead PI (PATTERSON), project leadership, Co-PIs, graduate students, stakeholders, and university administrators to ensure effective coordination, communication, reporting, and implementation of project activities.

• Coordinate day-to-day activities across participating institutions and project teams.
• Collect project updates and progress reports from participating PIs and assist with USDA reporting.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, timelines, and annual outcomes.
• Organize annual project summits/micro-conferences, meetings, and related activities.
• Coordinate the project's graduate student scholarship program and interdisciplinary student cohort.
• Facilitate communication among the Lead PI, Pillar Leads, Co-PIs, students, evaluators, and stakeholders.
• Maintain project records, reports, meeting documentation, and other grant-related materials.
• Support evaluation activities and collection of project accomplishments and impact metrics.
• Assist with stakeholder engagement, Extension activities, and dissemination of project outcomes.
• Coordinate with Michigan State University administrative and sponsored-program personnel as needed.

Position Impact

This position will provide the central coordination and administrative support necessary to successfully implement a nationally coordinated research, extension, and education program addressing herbicide resistance. The Project Manager will allow project leadership and investigators to focus on scientific and Extension activities while ensuring that project milestones, reporting, communication, and collaborative activities remain on schedule.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Management, Plant Science, Biology; three to five years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in project management, business analysis, facilitating/training with a focus on business management; workflow process analysis and implementation of strategic initiatives or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products and standard project-management tools.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree(Masters or PhD) in Business Administration, Management, Plant Science, Biology or relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated project coordination or administrative experience.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate activities involving diverse teams.
• Experience with research grants.
• Experience coordinating multi-institutional or collaborative research projects.
• Familiarity with agriculture, weed science, research administration, or higher education.
• Experience working with faculty, graduate students, and external stakeholders.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

CV/Resume

Name & Contact Information for Three(3) professional references 

Special Instructions

Inquiries regarding the position can be sent to Dr. Eric Patterson (patte543@msu.edu)

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends October 27, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.