Academic Staff
Regular
Research Administrative Specialist
The Research Administrative Specialist supports the mission of the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve to lead and catalyze research, education, outreach and stewardship along Lake Superior’s coast by coordinating and administering sponsored grants and associated agreements in collaboration with Principal Investigators. This position will work directly with UW-Madison Extension, the Reserve director, and program coordinators to establish new awards, manage existing award budgets, and ensure timely and accurate reporting. They will empower staff to implement research, environmental monitoring, K-12 and community education, and ecological stewardship actions through a range of funding sources including the Reserve’s primary federal sponsor, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in alignment with the policies and processes of UW-Madison, the Division of Extension, and the Natural Resources Institute. They will help the Reserve achieve sustained and diversified funding by supporting the development of new proposals and cooperative agreements.
The Research Administrative Specialist provides some administrative support to the Reserve and coordinates facility use and materials procurement in collaboration with the director. They will build and sustain positive relationships with Reserve staff, Wisconsin Sea Grant staff co-located with the Reserve, and UW-Superior staff who operate and maintain the buildings as part of campus. The Specialist may occasionally assist with special projects aligned with sponsored awards, such as the biennial St. Louis River Summit.
The Reserve is located in Superior, Wisconsin, an area with ample outdoor recreation opportunities, cultural and civic events, and innovative university and public-school options. The successful candidate reports to the Reserve Director and will be part of a supportive and collaborative team that includes eleven full-time staff along with several interns, graduate and undergraduate researchers and fellows annually. Based at the headwaters of the Great Lakes, the Reserve provides a community-engaged workplace connected to the dynamic freshwater ecosystems within the 16,697-acre Reserve boundaries along the St. Louis River estuary.
Assists with management and coordination of select projects aligned with sponsored grants, agreements or awards to advance the Lake Superior Reserve mission.
Provides administrative support for the Reserve including coordinating facilities and fleet usage and maintenance, participating in staff meetings, purchasing, and similar assistance to partners who share Reserve facilities, including Wisconsin Sea Grant and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve.
- Leads researchers in the preparation and/or maintenance documentation, financial management, and/or reporting requirements related to sponsored grants, contracts, or agreements
- Assures compliance with grant, contract or agreement requirements and determine whether objectives are being met
- May identify funding opportunities and disseminate to principal investigators
- Serves as a liaison and expert resource for researchers regarding the interpretation of policy and procedure related to overall sponsored project management
- Works collaboratively with researchers to prepare non-technical materials for proposals, drafting contracts or agreements for review, and/or advising award setup
- Maintains and monitors grants and contract budgets
Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea by developing and connecting the research and educational resources of UW–Madison with residents and communities to address local, statewide, and national issues. We teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and communities.
The Extension Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) addresses today's critical environmental issues, particularly the sustainable management of food, water, and energy, by using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education, embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.
The Lake Superior Reserve works in partnership to improve the understanding of Lake Superior's coast and estuaries. The Reserve integrates research, education, outreach, and stewardship to address opportunities and issues affecting the watershed. Based on the St. Louis River Estuary in Superior, WI, the Lake Superior Reserve is one of 30 reserves in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning a full time equivalent salary between $65,000 - $70,000. Actual pay is determined at hire and is based on experience and qualifications.
This is a part-time position, which means actual salary earned will be prorated based on FTE (full-time status). At 80% FTE, the person hired can expect to receive 80% of the advertised salary. Please note that some benefits such as paid time off will be prorated by appointment percentage.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/)
- Demonstrated strong communication skills, including clear written communications, and professional experience accurately translating policies, procedures and financial information to support programmatic decision making and actions.
- Demonstrated success working as part of a collaborative team.
- Professional experience developing, tracking and managing budgets, including proficiency with Excel.
- Experience working independently to interpret and follow organizational policy and navigate financial procedures, such as contracts and procurement.
- At least two years of financial management experience, including developing and managing budgets, especially in the government or non-profit context.
- Experience across the grant lifecycle, including the application process, managing sponsored award set up and subawards, budgets, reporting and closure of awards.
- Interest or experience in sustainability, natural resources, or environmental sciences.
Associate's Degree in a related field
Bachelor's degree in a related field
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and interests align with this position. To begin the application process,
- Resume
- Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
- Contact information for 3 references
Please note when applying, there will be only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field. Please submit a cover letter describing your work experience as aligned with the qualifications and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. Failure to upload all required materials may result in your application not being considered.
For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Application Deadline is August 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Deanna Erickson - Hiring Manager
[email protected]
(715) 399 -4086
Michele Blakeman - Human Resources
[email protected]
(608) 262-7110
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
