Job Description

Job Posting Title: Scientific Project Manager
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Hiring Department: Department of Marine Science
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Position Open To: All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
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FLSA Status: Exempt
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Earliest Start Date: Oct 30, 2025
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Position Duration: Expected to Continue
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Location: MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE
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Job Details:
Purpose
We seek a highly organized and motivated Scientific Project Manager to oversee, manage, and coordinate a multidisciplinary collaborative research project executed out of the Texas Gulf Coast Research Center at UTMSI. The successful candidate will serve as a central point of contact between researchers, collaborators, and stakeholders, ensuring project implementation, coordination of field logistical support, and timely completion of deliverables aligned with scientific goals. This position is located in Port Aransas, Tx.
Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and manage the day-to-day activities of the scientific research projects.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, research staff, and external partners to align objectives and deliverables.
• Develop and monitor project timelines, budgets, milestones, and reporting requirements.
• Facilitate communication across scientific, administrative, and funding teams.
• Prepare documentation for reporting, publications, and presentations.
• Identify risks, troubleshoot challenges, and propose solutions to keep projects on track.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the development of future research initiatives.
• Coordinate field logistics, including research cruises, with PIs.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a scientific discipline related to marine science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or related field) with four years of relevant experience.
• Peer-reviewed publications relevant to coastal ecosystems
• Field sampling experience that includes small vessels and ships
• Proven experience in project management within a scientific research environment.
• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret experimental results and guide decisions based on evidence.
• Planning & Scheduling: Mastery of tools like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and project timelines.
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation: Managing costs, personnel, and lab resources efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD) in a scientific discipline related to marine science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or related field).
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Risk Management: Identifying potential pitfalls and developing contingency plans.
• Familiarity with grant management, funding agencies, or regulatory requirements is a plus.
• Certification in project management is desirable but not required.

Driving Required
This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).
Salary Range
$75,000+ depending on qualifications
Working Conditions

• Will do field work on small boats and offshore on research vessels
• Some laboratory work may also be required

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
[PDF] [PDF] [PDF]
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in .
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Skills Required