Position Function:
The National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (NSPARC) at Mississippi State University is seeking an Assistant Director for Applied Research. This role is integral to NSPARC’s research initiatives, overseeing project management, research design, stakeholder engagement, and the supervision of applied research staff and students. The position is responsible for ensuring the successful execution of applied research projects by providing leadership in methodology, analysis, reporting, and proposal development. The Assistant Director will serve as a liaison between NSPARC and external stakeholders, ensuring that research efforts align with the needs of funding agencies and research partners.
Salary Grade: 18
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Lead and oversee applied research projects, ensuring adherence to project timelines, research objectives, and deliverables. Manage multiple concurrent research initiatives while maintaining quality, efficiency, and compliance with funding requirements, ensuring all completed work aligns with center standards, guidelines, and policies.
2. Develop and implement robust research designs, ensuring the use of appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies for each project. Conduct data analysis, interpretation, and reporting, while overseeing the development of research models, frameworks, and technical approaches to support applied research initiatives and provide actionable insights for stakeholders.
3. Communicate research findings clearly through written reports, presentations, and executive summaries. Serve as a primary point of contact for external clients, funding agencies, and research partners, ensuring that project goals align with stakeholder expectations.
4. Identify research funding opportunities and lead the development and submission of grant proposals, contracts, and sponsored research applications. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop competitive funding proposals aligned with NSPARC’s research strengths.
5. Collaborate with center executives, senior managers, project managers, and business office personnel to meet grant and contract reporting requirements. Collect and prepare information for internal and external reports to ensure accurate project documentation.
6. Supervise research staff, postdoctoral research associates, graduate assistants, and student researchers, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities. Ensure compliance with ethical research standards, university policies, and federal/state regulations. Evaluate the performance of direct reports and recommend personnel actions as needed.
7. Perform related duties as assigned to support the overall mission and objectives of the center.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree with focus in Sociology, Economics, or closely related field.
Five (5) years experience in Applied research, project management and research leadership.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s or Ph.D in Sociology, Economics, or Closely related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to lead and manage multiple, often complex, research projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative research solutions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficient in both oral and written communication with the ability to translate complex research findings into actionable insights for decision-makers.
• Proven ability to supervise and train staff, including skills in organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Frequent externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours may be required; meeting deadlines and coordination of related activities are key to position; involves conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants should complete online application at explore.msujobs.msstate.edu and upload a cover letter and current resume.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
