Job Opportunities

Position Summary
Reporting to the Director, VASG’s Assistant Director of Research is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and management to VASG’s research and fellowships program portfolio.

Key duties include:

• Program Oversight and Leadership: Leads, strengthens, and expands VASG’s research and fellowship portfolios. Supports VASG Director in advancing VASG’s mission.
• Management, Reporting, and Evaluation: Manages VASG’s investments in research and fellowships. Measures, evaluates, and communicates research impact through publications and presentations.
• Program Development: Fosters development of use-inspired, community-engaged research projects with VASG member institutions for submission to National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), and other federal and non-federal funding opportunities.
• Other Duties: Assists other essential functions as assigned by the Director that are critical to VASG operations.

The Assistant Director of Research is a member of the VASG leadership team which develops and implements an integrated strategic plan for VASG in collaboration with NOAA, the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), William and Mary’s Batten School and VIMS, and VASG partner institutions. The position collaborates closely with VASG’s Fellowship and Internship Coordinator and serves as a backup for that position.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree in coastal and marine field, or other relevant field.

Experience

• Project management experience, e.g., coordinating large teams, fostering collaboration, time and budget management, using online software tools, staff and volunteer supervision and coordination, and data management.
• Experience working in higher education or similar settings.
• Experience managing people and projects.
• Proficient in the use of information technology, including computers, websites, databases, digital platforms, and social media.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of ocean and coastal issues, science, and policies, coastal and marine resources, and ecosystems, and understanding of coastal cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Engaging, motivated, self-starter.
• Proven ability to work effectively with individuals at multiple levels of an institution or organization.
• Aptitude and technical skills in grants, contracts, and budget management.
• Attention to details, with strong organizational and time management skills to effectively fulfill multiple responsibilities.
• Technical skills to identify and assess expertise and experts.
• Possess excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills.
• Strong commitment to quality, with a customer-oriented and collaborative team approach.

​Preferred Qualifications:

Education

•  Ph.D. in coastal or marine science or related field

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in research administration, leadership, program management in any Sea Grant-relevant area or specialty.
• Experience managing competitive funding.
• Experience evaluating effectiveness of grant making.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborative co-production of knowledge, and fostering convergence science projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of competitive grant-making.
• Proven ability to work with students, faculty, administrators, at multiple levels of an organization.
• Attention to details, with strong organizational and time management skills to effectively fulfill multiple responsibilities.
• Technical skills to identify and assess relevant subject matter experts.
• Demonstrated, effective communication and listening skills.
• Strong commitment to quality, with a customer-oriented and collaborative team approach.
• Problem-solving skills, innovation, and creativity.

Salary: Starting at $90,000 commensurate with experience, qualifications, and internal equity.