Associate Director, Research Operations

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality, intellectual curiosity, and the unique perspectives that strengthen our academic community. As the Associate Director, Research Operations, you will play a critical leadership role in advancing Trinity College of Arts & Sciences’ research mission by supporting faculty, departments, and school leadership across the full lifecycle of sponsored research.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to faculty and administrators, a connector across institutional partners, and a champion for clear communication, effective processes, and inclusive research support. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Research, you’ll work closely with the Vice Dean for Finance and Administration and Duke’s Office for Research & Innovation (OR&I) to ensure Trinity’s research enterprise is well-supported, compliant, and positioned for continued growth.

Be Bold.

You’ll help shape the future of research administration at Duke by identifying gaps, reducing barriers, and building systems that make it easier for faculty and researchers to succeed.

What You’ll Do

Lead Research Administration Strategy

• Partner with the Senior Associate Dean for Research and OR&I leadership to identify, develop, and disseminate best practices for research administration across Trinity.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for the implementation of institutional initiatives, policies, and compliance requirements related to research administration.
• Advise departmental business managers and Trinity staff on research administration policies, procedures, sponsor requirements, and regulatory updates.
• Provide ongoing training and professional development to administrative staff supporting research activities.
• Collaborate with the Vice Dean for Finance and Administration to assess gaps in research administration support and align solutions with shared services models and departmental staffing structures.
• Partner with institutional committees and working groups to advance coordinated research administration practices.
• Serve as a key liaison between Trinity and OR&I to ensure open, consistent communication.

Support Faculty and Researchers

• Monitor the effectiveness of administrative support for proposal development, grant submission, post-award management, research-related HR, procurement, IRB review, data storage, and related research functions.
• Meet regularly with faculty, department chairs, business managers, and administrators to understand evolving research administration needs and communicate those needs to Trinity leadership.
• Facilitate strong coordination among faculty, departmental administrators, and central shared service teams to ensure seamless pre- and post-award support.
• Provide onboarding and individualized support for new Trinity faculty navigating Duke systems for grants submission and management.
• Support implementation and administration of research-related policies affecting graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers.
• Identify breakdowns in research administration processes and work collaboratively with faculty and leadership to develop solutions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact within Trinity for research compliance matters.
• Consult on research administration resource needs and partner with school leadership on staffing and support strategies.
• Collaborate with the Office of Research Support (ORS) and designated grant managers on grant administration, policies, procedures, and budgeting.

Advance Research Development and Data Strategy

• Identify, track, and analyze key performance indicators related to Trinity’s research activities, including sponsored funding, publications, and broader scholarly and societal impact.
• Partner with OR&I and Trinity Technology Services to develop infrastructure that supports data-driven decision-making and performance monitoring.
• Meet with faculty to understand grant development needs and connect them to funding development resources across OR&I and campus partners.

Other Duties

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned in support of Trinity’s research mission.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, allied health, or related field
• Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience managing research staff and supporting sponsored research activities
• Demonstrated experience with grant proposals and budget development
• Experience with REDCap software implementation and data management
• At least one (1) year of proven leadership experience managing or directing the work of a large staff
• General knowledge of internal and external research compliance regulations

Preferred Skills

• Strong proficiency with computing software and web-based applications
• Ability to use administrative tools to track, model, and analyze institutional data
• Proven ability to work effectively with researchers in an academic environment
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with stakeholders at all organizational levels
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible guidance for diverse audiences
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• A problem-solving mindset with the ability to navigate complex situations and identify practical solutions
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, providing leadership and influence without direct supervisory authority
• Familiarity with financial tracking systems and/or research administration systems
• Understanding of Duke University policies and processes related to proposal submission and grant administration

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you’ll join a world-class research institution committed to excellence, collaboration, and impact. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive environment where your expertise helps advance discovery and scholarship across disciplines.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help strengthen the research enterprise of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University.