Research Associate - Sustainable Technology

Research Associate - Sustainable Technology

Salary

$23.89 - $28.00 Hourly

Location

Waterfront Plaza, Honolulu, Hawaii

Job Type

Staff - Temporary Part Time Non Exempt

Job Number

02770

Department

Federal Grants

Opening Date

09/22/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Hawai'i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the 'okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.

Description

Job Summary:

The Research Coordinator supports interdisciplinary research and sustainable technology initiatives through research administration, federal proposal development, environmental data analysis, GIS, scientific communication, and project coordination. This position works closely with the PI (principal investigator) to support the development and execution of a federally funded project. The ideal candidate brings an interdisciplinary background spanning environmental science, research administration, data management, and digital communications, and will help translate technical and environmental research into well-organized proposals, reports, maps, presentations, and multimedia products while ensuring that project logistics, travel, expenses, records, and administrative requirements are effectively managed.

This is a grant-funded, temporary, part-time (up to 19 hours per week), non-exempt staff position with an anticipated employment term of one year, subject to available funding and program needs.

Location: This on-site position will be based out of our Waterfront Plaza campus site in downtown Honolulu.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, research administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting research programs, scientific projects, environmental initiatives, or federally funded programs.
• Experience with administrative coordination, including travel, expense reporting, scheduling, records management, and project support.
• Experience with environmental data collection, mapping, monitoring, or analysis.
• Knowledge or experience with water and air-quality testing, watershed research, ecological monitoring, or natural-resource assessment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to organize technical information for proposals, reports, and presentations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, research administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting NIH, DOE, NSF, or other federal grant and proposal activities.
• Familiarity with federal research administration, proposal development, or federal funding requirements.
• Experience with research proposal writing, technical writing, or scientific communications.
• Experience with video production, filming, editing, or multimedia storytelling.
• Experience developing or maintaining research, laboratory, environmental, or organizational websites.
• Experience with statistical or data-analysis tools such as R.
• Graduate training in environmental science, environmental policy, sustainability, natural resources, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary research teams
• Experience using travel and expense-management systems.

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance are not available for this position.
• Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU's winter break, if necessary.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Ability to work in a fast?paced environment requiring excellent time and stress management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate work across interdisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

1. Research Administration & Proposal Development and Coordination (55%)

• Support the preparation and coordination of NSF, DOE, and other federal research proposals, including gathering information from investigators, organizing proposal materials, tracking deadlines, and coordinating supporting documentation.
• Conduct background research and literature or program reviews to support proposal development and identify relevant funding opportunities.
• Coordinate inputs from multidisciplinary team members and ensure that proposal components are complete, consistent, and submitted according to sponsor requirements.
• Maintain organized records of proposals, project documentation, research data, and supporting materials.
• Assist with preparation of progress reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other sponsor-facing deliverables.

2. Environmental Technology Research (25%)

• Assist with collection, organization, quality control, and analysis of environmental and geospatial data.
• Support field research and environmental monitoring activities, including water-quality sampling, water-quality testing, and ecological assessments.
• Translate environmental data and technical findings into clear maps, figures, reports, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Assist researchers in documenting field activities, methodologies, datasets, and research findings.

3. Research Communications & Multimedia (15%)

• Develop visual and multimedia materials that communicate research findings, project objectives, and environmental impacts to scientific, governmental, community, and public audiences.
• Support video production, filming, editing, and post-production for research projects, educational materials, presentations, and project documentation.
• Use video-editing and digital media tools such as DaVinci Resolve to produce professional research and outreach content.
• Develop website and digital content that communicates project activities, research outcomes, and environmental or technological innovations.
• Collaborate with researchers and project teams to convert complex scientific information into accessible visual and written communications.

4. Performs other related duties as assigned (5%)

• Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments.

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Hawaii Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawaii Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please contact hr@hpu.edu to request assistance.

Hawaii Pacific University is a learning community where staff, faculty, and more than 5,000 students come together from around the world to learn and work in a spirit of caring, honesty, freedom, and ohana (family).

Cooperation, communication, and collegiality are the foundation of our community. We fulfill the responsibilities of our educational mission through mutual trust and respect, innovation and involvement, expertise, and intellectual fellowship. We offer all members of our community the opportunity to excel, including resources and rewards commensurate with individual contributions and potential. As a team, we are committed to serving our local and global communities and embrace our values of aloha, pono, and kuleana.

We seek talented and energetic people who thrive on challenge and innovation in supporting the mission and values of our university. HPU offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

For student employment, please visit Career Development Center.

Why consider a career with HPU? Here are some of the benefits of employment . . .

Time Off A generous schedule that recognizes 15 holidays annually, plus winter break days off between Christmas and New Years. Eligible employees also receive vacation, sick and other types of paid leave.

Tuition Waiver Full time employees and spouse/dependent children pursuing a higher education degree at HPU may apply for a tuition waiver.

Health and Wellness Comprehensive health insurance, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program and wellness program.

Retirement Plan Eligible employees can start saving for the future and enroll in the Hawaii Pacific University 403(b) retirement plan upon hire.

Discounts Discounts for products and services including airlines, rental car, hotels, theme parks, attractions, gift cards, restaurants, and more.

01

Do you have a bachelors degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, research administration, public administration, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have experience supporting research programs, scientific projects, environmental initiatives, or federally funded programs?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have experience with administrative coordination, including travel, expense reporting, scheduling, records management, and project support?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience with environmental data collection, mapping, monitoring, or analysis?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have knowledge of or experience with water and air-quality testing, watershed research, ecological monitoring, or natural-resource assessment?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have professional or academic experience preparing proposals, reports, presentations, or other documents that required organizing and communicating technical information?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Hawaii Pacific University

Address Waterfront Plaza

500 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 4-545

Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813

Phone 8085441188

Website http://www.hpu.edu/jobs