Description

Position Overview

KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD) seeks a research project coordinator to support projects related to inclusive research (i.e., research that involves people with and without disabilities). This position will work across projects to coordinate project activities, monitor and communicate study progress, and assist with grant management and reporting tasks. These projects focus on the following areas:

• Supporting and training other research teams to build inclusive research teams.
• Creating research career pathways for people with disabilities.
• Bringing together people from across the country/world with a shared value for inclusive research to build community and strategies for doing intentional, collaborative work.
• Building a peer mentorship model for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking career development.

The research project coordinator is an important part of the KUCD team and may coordinate the work of professional staff (e.g., research assistants or aides) supporting research project goals. The coordinator monitors tasks and responsibilities to ensure accurate and timely completion across projects and works collaboratively with team members to support task completion. The ideal candidate will have experience working with people with a range of support needs, previous project coordination experience, be highly reliable at meeting established goals and deliverables within strict timelines, pay close attention to detail, be adept at independent problem-solving, and collaborate well within a complex team including colleagues at multiple universities and other community partners.

About KUCD
The University of Kansas, Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) is recognized as a leading research center in the field of disability. KUCD implements and conducts grant-funded research projects focusing on (a) applied research on effective assessment and instructional methods with a particular focus on self-determination and transition from high-school to employment, postsecondary education, or community participation and (b) interdisciplinary training in the disability field. KUCD is part of the Life Span Institute (LSI), a leading research unit at the University of Kansas.

This position is located at the University of Kansas-Lawrence and occasional travel in Kansas and within the United States will be required.

KUCD is committed to fostering a supportive research and educational environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

Job Description

The research project coordinator is a critical role and responsibilities include the following:

50% - Coordinate projects to provide all required deliverables and meet established goals within project timelines:

• Coordinate the development of materials/resources aligned with project goals and deadlines, working closely with project leadership to ensure alignment with grant goals and deliverables.
• Organize study activities such as: (a) recruiting/managing participants, (b) tracking study activities and timelines, (c) data collection organization and monitoring, including training data collectors, and tracking data collection activities, and (d) ensuring timely provision of participant incentives or other participant support (e.g. travel reimbursement, honoraria, etc.) as required.
• Communicate regular, timely, thoroughly summarized project updates to all team members through careful planning of internal study team meetings, written status updating on a consistent schedule, being sure to escalate items of concern to project leadership as needed.
• Organize inventory and ordering of necessary supplies and coordinate shipping of materials as needed.
• Strengthen team working relationships by communicating professionally with team members at multiple universities and other local community organizations, study participants (e.g., teachers and students with disabilities), project funders, and the public around study details and activities as required and appropriate.

20% - Coordinate project meetings and events including webinars, presentations and training sessions:

• Use efficient and effective methods to determine meeting times/places (e.g. using online calendars and meeting apps).
• Communicate with participants and via email, phone and additional digital means.
• Support the development of meeting/training materials and disperse them through a variety of methods (e.g., email, online, print, etc.).
• Attend and provide administrative support at meetings/trainings, as needed.

20% - Provide project communications across KU personnel (e.g. KUCD researchers) as well as others outside of KU using multiple methods to meet project activities/goals:

• Prepare and deliver presentations regarding project recruitment, implementation, or results via in-person or virtual delivery methods.
• Assist in creating summary reports and other information dissemination products for projects (e.g., editing, verifying accurate references, creating graphics or charts using project data). This includes contributing to annual reporting requirements as well as project update reports.
• Collaborate with KUCD's communication and dissemination team around tasks, such as ensuring materials accessibility (including plain language, creating video products, multimedia elements, social media posts, and website management).
• Perform entry of project data into data collection systems to support annual project tracking and reporting requirements from project funders.

10% - Provide administrative support for a variety of project activities (e.g. data collection and management, generating drafts of project materials, assembling print materials, ordering project supplies, etc.).

Position Requirements

1. This position is preferred as onsite or hybrid but may have potential for designation of telework.
2. This position is located at the University of Kansas-Lawrence and occasional travel in Kansas and within the United States will be required.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho & Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree with one year of related professional experience.
2. Excellent written and oral communication skills as evidenced in application materials and interview.
3. Strong attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
4. Three years of work experience that required strong interpersonal, administrative, and organizational skills with capacity for responding to and managing rapidly developing priorities, as evidenced in application materials.
5. Previous work experience working both independently and collaboratively with others, including people with disabilities.
6. Three years of experience using a variety of software systems such as: Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive, Emma, Canva, Zoom, MS Teams, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, Qualtrics as demonstrated by application materials and work experience.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
2. Resume
3. Contact information for three (3) professional references from previous employers.

Application review begins Wednesday, 4/29/2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.