Postdoctoral Research Assistant Jobs in Minnesota

The NSRI seeks a Research Project Manager (National Security) to oversee the daily operations, milestones, and execution of sponsor-funded research grants and contracts. The person in the role will contribute directly to national security research infrastructure, and help drive the future of NSRIs national security portfolio. This role assists with end-to-end activities of the program lifecycle - from scope definition and contract administration through execution, milestone delivery, and closeout - while ensuring that all research activities meet cost, schedule, and technical performance objectives. The role combines sponsor-facing leadership (reporting, planning) with technical fluency in national security-related topics, like hypersonics for example. This person builds sponsor confidence through rigorous reporting, proactive issue resolution, and consistent execution - and grows NSRIs sponsor relationships by demonstrating credibility and capability.

This position reports to the NSRI Program Manager (National Security) and works closely with faculty and other researchers in relevant colleges, centers and institutes, as well as with central research administration units such as the RIO Sponsored Projects Administration, and various business and industry partners.

Please note: This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities
The primary objective of this role is to deliver NSRIs national security research programs on cost, on schedule, and to full technical requirements - while building the sponsor relations and program credibility that sustain and grow NSRIs national security research portfolio.
Management, Execution and Delivery of Research Projects - (75%)

• Program Reporting:
  • Coordinate program review logistics, prepare required program documentation, and ensure the team is aligned and prepared in advance of all reviews.
  • Present in sponsor meetings and program reviews, deliver clear, credible briefings on cost, schedule, technical status, and risk posture.
  • Organize and facilitate program meetings, working group sessions, and site visits; prepare agendas, capture decisions and action items, and drive accountability on follow-through.
  • Support coordination and logistics for on-site and off-site test campaigns, facility visits, and sponsor engagements.
  • Identify, allocate and manage program resources, including workforce planning.
• Lab/Research Coordination: Lead and coordinate the cross-function program team - faculty PIs, postdoctoral researchers, graduate research assistants, and external partners, ensuring integrated execution across all program workstreams.
• Milestone & Schedule Tracking: Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS); track milestones and deliverables across the full program lifecycle and drive corrective action when deviations arise.
• Budget & Resource Monitoring: Manage the day-to-day program budget, tracking expenditures against the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) and providing timely Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Estimate to Complete (ETC) updates.
• Sponsor Reporting & Deliverables: Lead the preparation, formatting, and timely submission of all sponsor-facing materials, including technical progress reports, quad charts, program review briefings and final data deliverables to federal sponsors (e.g., DoD, MDA, NASA, DARPA, and others as applicable.
• Risk management:
  • Maintain the program Risk, Issue, and Opportunity (RIO) register, aligned to DoD RIO Management Guide practices.
  • Lead risk identification, assessment, mitigation planning, and tracking processes; ensure clear risk awareness across the program team and sponsor community.
  • Proactively identify and communicate emerging issues; develop and execute mitigation and contingency plans to minimize schedule and cost impact.
  • Identify and pursue program opportunities, including scope growth, follow-on funding, and cross-program synergies.
• Compliance & Procurement:
  • Safeguard secure compute and data-handling practices in strict alignment with applicable regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR, CUI, DD254, and others as applicable to the program).
  • Confirm that all agreement terms are observed across project activities, including IP agreements, CRADAs, and Data Use Agreements (DAUs).
  • Ensure all project tasks and activities comply with regulations and follow university safety protocols.
  • Manage the procurement of materials, tools and equipment from internal University service partners and external vendors in alignment with University policies.

Contracting & Reporting (10%)

• Assist with FAR/DFARS/OTA award administration and requirements, including SOW compliance, CDRL tracking, contract modifications, subaward management, and contract closeout.
• Maintain the IMS, WBS, and EVMS cost/schedule baseline; generate compliant program status reporting including quad charts, IPMDAR cost/schedule reporting and EAC/ETC analysis.

Program Support and Development (10%)

• Engage with the PI and IPT members on technical milestones and deliverable content; participate in technical discussions and assist with scoping, milestone definition, and task planning.
• Partner with the Program Manager and assist with optimizing project management frameworks, standardizing operating procedures, and scaling approaches that are broadly applicable across research project portfolios.
• Support the development of proposals, white papers, and capability briefings for prospective government and industry sponsors.
• Help position NSRI capabilities for new program opportunities across the DoD Adaptive Acquisitions Framework and broader national security research ecosystem.
• Identify and pursue new projects, follow-on funding, and expanded sponsor relationships.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Flexible Work Profile
The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and the National Security Research Institute (NSRI) endorse a work with flexibility approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote.

This position was designated to be fully in the office/lab (Profile 1) or partially remote (Profile 2, with work expected to be performed in the office/lab a minimum of 3 days per week).

At least initially, the incumbent will be expected to spend more time in the office/lab to ease onboarding, create connections with team members, and initiate collaborations. Work schedule will be finalized with the supervisor and PI, and will be dependent on the research project needs. Regardless of the typical work arrangement set, this role comes with the requirement to attend numerous on-campus work events and on-site meetings for collaboration and team effectiveness. Unless collaborating at a research program site, the incumbent will be based in the NSRI office in Suite 450 in the McNamara Alumni Center located at 200 SE Oak Street on the Twin Cities, Minneapolis Campus.

RIO management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation Management) plus at least 6 years of relevant experience, or advanced degree in a relevant technical field plus at least 4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in leading and directing sponsored research projects, or government-facing or industry-facing R&D programs (e.g. DoD, NASA, Service Labs, FFRDC/UARC, or prime contractor).
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing, executing and completing research projects to cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
• Proficiency in project management skills and toolsets (e.g. Jira, Asana, MS Project)
• Familiarity with export control, CUI handling, secure compute, and data rights/intellectual property.
• Excellent presenter and technical writer; able to deliver crisp and persuasive briefings.
• Development and adherence to budget baselines utilizing Earned Value Management (EMV) or similar cost & schedule control methodologies and tools.

Other Required Credentials

• Due to the nature of some of the essential functions of this position, successful candidates must: 
  • Be a US Citizen;
  • Possess an active US Government security clearance or have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD with significant modeling and simulation experience (e.g. CFD/aerothermodynamics, TPS/thermal-structural, trajectory/6-DoF).
• PM certification such as Project Management Professional certification (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or other broadly-recognized credential in the field.
• Experience working as a research project manager in an academic research environment, the aerospace industry or in government-funded research entities (e.g. NASA, AFRL/Service Labs, etc.).
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering design lifecycles, government research program structures, and aerospace-specific regulatory frameworks (ITAR/EAR, export control, CUI handling, data rights/IP).
• Sufficient knowledge of hypersonics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or related disciplines to engage meaningfully with PI teams on technical milestones and sponsor deliverables, and participate in technical conversations.
• Experience with OTAs, cost-type and FFP contracts, EVMS/IPMDAR, and test/flight campaigns (AEDC, WSMR, Sandia, etc.).
• Able to travel up to 25%

Desired Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build trust with both technical researchers and government program officials; able to navigate organizational complexity and maintain relationships at all levels of a program hierarchy.
• Exceptional communicator - written, verbal, and through formal sponsor briefings - with a track record of producing clear, credible deliverables that hold up to sponsor and executive scrutiny.
• Proactive and systematic approach to problem-solving; able to identify and address issues before they escalate and to maintain program momentum under ambiguity or competing priorities.
• Organized and disciplined in managing multiple concurrent workstreams; able to drive clarity, track commitments, and ensure accountability across complex programs.
• Collaborative and mission-oriented, with a genuine commitment to the success of the team, the sponsors, and the national security research mission NSRI supports.

The University of Minnesotas National Security Research Institute (NSRI) partners with federal agencies, the Department of Defense, and industry to advance research in national security-relevant science and technology. NSRI operates within the University of Minnesotas Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and conducts a growing portfolio of sponsored programs in hypersonics, advanced materials, microelectronics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning - executed in close collaboration with faculty across the Universitys colleges and institutes.

Pay Range: $88,000.00-$114,000.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and ex