Organization Description

By working at the Collaboratory Science Research Institute (CoSci), you join an innovative community that advances CoSci's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and divergent  environment that welcomes global members.

Why join CoSci?

The CoSci community of practitioners and professionals are passionate about changing the world by democratizing science and providing access to world class research support to the public.  Our staff chooses to work at CoSci because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future.  We hire based on merit and ability, and we trust our experts to manage their workload with competence.  We offer a flexible workplace with goal-based workflows that allow staff to work at their own pace within professional standards.

Unlike research administration (RA) positions at a university or private research institute, this role sustains itself through active management of sponsored projects.  After a yearlong probationary period, salary will be determined as a direct percentage of the incumbent’s portfolio.  There is no upper limit to this compensation structure.  We expect high quality candidates to exceed the compensation rate of an executive at an R1 university or premier private lab. 

Job Description

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Research Operations will be part of the Research Administration Division (RAD) at Collaboratory Science Research Institute. RAD manages contracts and grants for CoSci and its flagship program, IGDORE USA.  Learn more at Welcome to IGDORE USA!  

Job-Specific Responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Research Operations is responsible for the administrative operations of research proposals and projects: providing pre-award services; negotiating access to research assets on the Research Exchange (REX) as needed; monitoring asset use and compliance across existing projects; ensuring that new project proposals have sufficient staffing and material support; ensuring that IGDORE USA projects comply with RAD’s open source science commitments; coordinating with principal investigators and/or project directors on budget reports and other post-award services; identifying training opportunities for research staff; managing 1-2 interns, students,  and/or volunteers; and managing project-specific activities, such as  Institutional Review Board approvals. The Assistant Director of Research Operations will report to the Executive Director and will work closely with Research Exchange partners to ensure that proposed projects secure access to facilities, instruments, equipment, materials, and resources.  They will also coordinate with RAD’s other Assistant Directors of Research and prepare an annual report for the Board of Directors. The Assistant Director will be expected to develop workflows and systems to ensure that CoSci proposals remain competitive, and that its research portfolio is compliant with MOU agreements. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities

1. Research Pipeline & Resource Management (45%)

• The Assistant Director will ensure that each project is appropriately resourced, coordinating across internal staff and external research partners to do so.

• Ensure that new project proposals are clear in scope and appropriately resourced to meet project timelines. 

• Build and maintain a system for allocating staff, managing staff workloads, and project timelines.   

• Inform hiring and pipeline management decisions.

• Partner with Directors of Research, Project Directors, and PIs to allocate staff, flag when staff are overburdened, and model tradeoffs when priorities conflict

2. Operational Systems & Compliance (25%)

• The Assistant Director leads operational process improvement and ensures the team remains in compliance with REX MOU agreements, open source science commitments, and human research subject protections.

• Maintain a compliance calendar and coordinate adherence to requirements including data use agreements, IRB protocols, funder reporting deadlines, and data privacy standards.

• Coordinate with relevant REX partners on computing needs.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures related to data handling, access controls, and use restrictions; serve as a point of escalation for compliance questions and incidents, connecting staff to appropriate institutional or legal resources

3. Talent Development & Team Infrastructure (30%)

• The Assistant Director owns management of the full research lifecycle—from pre-award services through post-closeout data stewardship.

• Process proposal requests and guide PIs through proposal development, submission, award management, contract and grant commitments, closeout, and long-term data stewardship

• Negotiate REX agreements as necessary

• Maintain a living library of SOPs, process guides, and registration materials; develop and enforce documentation standards and facilitate team trainings as needed

• Develop and manage institutional growth opportunities, including partnership development, fundraising, and related initiatives

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in research operations, program operations, project management, or a closely related field

• Experience working in or in direct support of research administration

• Demonstrated success designing and managing operational systems—such as intake workflows, allocation models, or documentation ecosystems—in a research, academic, policy, or similarly complex environment

• Strong systems-thinking skills: comfort identifying process gaps, designing solutions, and building for scale

• Experience with project management platforms and workflow tools; comfort evaluating and adopting new operational platforms

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., social science, public policy, information science, research administration, or related discipline)

• Familiarity with open source science, open access, FAIR, and other sharing principles and practices

• Client-focused and highly responsive to investigator, sponsor, and team requests

• Experience with university-based research processes, including familiarity with sponsored research, IRB administration, and academic PI workflows

• Familiarity with research compliance frameworks (data use agreements, funder requirements, data privacy)

• Experience in resource management or staff mentoring

• Familiarity with Google project management tools and no-code or low-code automation tools

• Exceptional organizational skills and judgment about prioritization under competing demands

• Strong communicator with experience coordinating across researchers, PIs, administrative staff, and leadership

• Experience supervising or formally mentoring at least one staff member

• Must be a strong self-starter with the ability to build a portfolio of research awards to support the position after the Y1 probationary period ends

Additional Information

Location: The position is a remote position. 

Appointment End Date: One year from start of hire.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week.

Compensation Range/Rate: $115,000 - 135,000 USD commensurate with experience and locality.*  At the end of the probationary period, salary will be re-calculated as 25% of F&A (i.e., 0.5%-5% of each award) on the incumbent’s total award portfolio, with no upper restriction.  Incumbents with no active sponsored projects will not be compensated after the probationary period.

Probationary Period: This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with annual reappointment based on performance. 

Visa Sponsorship Information: Collaboratory Science Research Institute is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.  All work is remote with 1-2 annual retreats.

Pre-Employment Screening: Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position must indicate that they meet all the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.

Work Format Details

As a remote position, this role is entirely dependent on goal-based outcomes.  The Assistant Director of Research Operations is expected to be available and responsive during the regular operating hours of the CoSci leadership as well as all the project teams under their supervision.  Availability and performance will be tracked using standard software and office equipment (e.g., phone, email, shared project tooling that indicates active use, etc.).  Although surveillance software will not be used, failure to meet pre-determined goals within deadline will not be tolerated.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is based on GS-14 salary grade step 8, similar to knowledge workers with advanced expertise. Please visit the 2026 OPM Salary Table to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

CoSci offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Depending on your location, our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 

• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 

• Retirement contributions

• Wellbeing and mental health resources 

• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 

• Professional development and certification

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Collaboratory Science Research Institute is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of the globe, and we strive to ensure everyone at CoSci thrives. Our differences help our community advance CoSci's research purposes.

CoSci’s equal employment opportunity policy is a firm commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by US law and our own ethical values.

How to Apply

Send a resume with cover letter to: HR@collaboratory.science

Overview

This is a part time, unpaid remote position with a flexible schedule.

Organization Description

By working at the Collaboratory Science Research Institute (CoSci), you join an innovative community that advances CoSci's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and divergent  environment that welcomes global members.

Why join CoSci?

The CoSci community of practitioners and professionals are passionate about changing the world by democratizing science and providing access to world class research support to the public.  Our staff chooses to work at CoSci because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future.  We hire based on merit and ability, and we trust our experts to manage their workload with competence.  We offer a flexible workplace with goal-based workflows that allow staff to work at their own pace within professional standards.

Responsibilities

Interns working in this division will receive advanced training in research administration services.  The ideal candidate will act professionally while working with staff and investigators, is a flexible team player, motivated, and hardworking, willing to undertake appropriate training to support administrative functions, and willing to assist with operational tasks.

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled or recently graduated from an undergraduate science or business degree program.

• Interest in open science and project management.

• Enjoys working with professional scientists and international researchers.

• Experience working in research is an advantage.

• Detail-oriented and good organization skills are highly desired.

Benefits

This is an unpaid position. Benefits include mentorship and professional development.

Background Check

Candidates who receive a conditional offer will be subject to a background check.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Collaboratory Science Research Institute is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of the globe, and we strive to ensure everyone at CoSci thrives. Our differences help our community advance CoSci's research purposes.

CoSci’s equal employment opportunity policy is a firm commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by US law and our own ethical values.

How to Apply

Send a resume with cover letter and three references to: HR@collaboratory.science