Working/Functional Title
Scientific Program Manager
Position Summary
The Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a collaborative and scientifically engaged Scientific Program Manager to provide strategic leadership for the Institute's portfolio of center grants and major research initiatives. Reporting to the Director, the Scientific Program Manager works closely with faculty, researchers, students, external partners, and stakeholders to develop interdisciplinary initiatives, strengthen scientific collaborations, and expand the Institute's impact.
The Scientific Program Manager serves as the primary resource for the PRI faculty on coordinating the lifecycle of center grants led by PRI faculty, including supporting the development of new center initiatives to oversee the successful implementation, evaluation, renewal, and closeout of existing centers. This position collaborates closely with Scientific Program Managers of individual center initiatives, Principal Investigators, and Institute administrative staff to ensure center activities are aligned with strategic priorities and sponsor expectations.
This position is grant-funded; therefore, the initial appointment is for a one‑year term and is not guaranteed to continue beyond that period. Any extension would be contingent upon operational needs and available funding.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management of Center-Level Projects
- Support PRI faculty to develop, implement, evaluate, and sunset center grants and major institute-wide research initiatives.
- Coordinate the planning and development of new center proposals, including facilitating collaborations among faculty, administrators, external partners, and stakeholders.
- Coordinate recruitment of center program managers and admin staff
- Support program managers running individual center grants to ensure successful implementation of programmatic goals, milestones, reporting requirements, and sponsor expectations.
- Provide programmatic leadership for center grants that do not have an assigned program manager during initial and sunsetting stages of center projects.
- Facilitate communication among Principal Investigators, collaborators, advisory boards, trainees, funding agencies, and Institute leadership to synergize center activities across PRI.
Strategic Initiatives and Scientific Partnerships
- Identify and cultivate opportunities to expand PRI's research portfolio through new center initiatives, interdisciplinary collaborations, and strategic partnerships.
- Foster collaborations among faculty, research centers, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, industry partners, and other academic institutions.
- Represent PRI at university and external meetings related to center grant activities and strategic initiatives.
- Prepare briefing materials, program summaries, and reports for Institute leadership and funding agencies.
- Collaborate with the PRI Communications Manager on dissemination of program accomplishments and with the Business & HR Manager, Fiscal Officers of PRI budget and grants, and Operations Coordinator to support successful implementation of Institute programs.
Leadership
Provides leadership and supervision for direct reports and collaborates with colleagues across the college through dotted-line relationships. Oversees workload distribution, establishes performance expectations, coaches and develops staff, evaluates performance, and administers personnel actions.
Other Duties as Assigned
Performs other duties, as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to support, facilitate and coordinate daily research activities, by providing guidance on the administration of compliance, financial, personnel and other related aspects of the research.
- Understanding and ability to strictly comply with policies and procedures of MSU, the College, and relevant administrative offices.
- Ability to accurately create or maintain records and documents, including sensitive information, preserving confidentiality.
- Ability to produce quality deliverables using Microsoft Office, SharePoint, HRIS, and TEAMS, and other job-related systems.
- Skill in critical thinking, fact-finding, problem analysis, problem resolution, and the development of concrete action plans to solve problems.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and present facts, communicate effectively (both orally and written), using tact and courtesy, and ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to identify, optimize, and effectively utilize resources to meet goals.
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to positive workplace culture and ethical decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and stay organized.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships, influence key partners, and deliver results in a collaborative environment.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in the specific field of Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Genetics, Molecular Biology or a closely related discipline; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research methodologies, writing reports, supervision, software, data interpretation and handling in area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Unit Preferred
- Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Genetics, Molecular Biology or a closely related discipline.
- Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in program management, project management, research administration, higher education administration, or related field.
- Experience working in a research-intensive university, institute, or center.
- Experience developing or managing center grant proposals, renewals, or large interdisciplinary research initiatives.
- Experience coordinating or supporting federally funded research programs or training grants.
- Experience building partnerships with government agencies, industry, foundations, stakeholders, or nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple investigators, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
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
Cover letter
Resume/CV
Name and contact information for two professional references
Special Instructions
For inquiries about the position, contact Dr. Gaëlle Cassin-Ross at PRI.Admin@msu.edu.
Review of applications will begin after September 4, 2026, and continue until the position has been filled.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Description of End Date
This is an off dated position funded for one year with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Website
https://plantresilience.msu.edu/
Bidding eligibility ends September 1, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.