Project Manager
Overview
The Princeton Quantum Initiative (PQI) seeks an experienced and highly organized Project Manager to support the Quantum Leap Challenge Institute (QLCI): Manufacturable and Resilient Superconducting Quantum Information Systems project.
QLCI is a collaborative, cross-institutional research initiative that brings together expertise in materials, processing, photonics, superconducting qubits, and related disciplines to address critical challenges in developing large-scale quantum processors.
Reporting to the Co-Directors and Executive Director, the Project Manager provides strategic and operational leadership to support the coordination, execution, and advancement of the project. The Project Manager will work closely with faculty leadership, researchers, administrators, partner institutions, funding agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, manage project operations, monitor progress, and ensure effective communication across the initiative.
In addition to supporting the QLCI, the Project Manager will coordinate hiring and personnel-related activities associated with the project and provide broader project and administrative support to PQI.
Responsibilities
Project Management and Coordination
- Direct and coordinate project activities in collaboration with Princeton leadership, collaborating institutions, research partners, and funding agencies.
- Support the coordination of scientific activities across internal research teams and external collaborators.
- Establish and maintain effective project management processes, timelines, and tracking mechanisms.
- Use project management tools to monitor progress, deliverables, milestones, risks, and dependencies across individual research groups and the broader project.
- Identify potential challenges and facilitate timely resolution of issues that may impact project objectives or deadlines.
- Ensure clear and consistent communication regarding project goals, priorities, risks, responsibilities, and progress.
- Organize project meetings, workshops, and related events, including developing agendas and preparing and distributing meeting minutes and action items.
- Coordinate milestone planning and delivery efforts, including maintaining records, tracking progress, preparing projections, and supporting research teams in developing strategies to achieve milestones.
- Coordinate the preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, project updates, presentations, and other required materials.
- Assist with data management, documentation, and dissemination of research results and project information.
Budget and Financial Administration
- Monitor project expenditures and support efforts to ensure activities remain within approved budgets.
- Work closely with grants managers and administrative staff to support billing, reimbursements, financial tracking, and related processes.
- Assist leadership with financial planning, forecasting, and identification of potential budgetary issues.
Procurement, Equipment, and Research Logistics
- Coordinate the procurement of specialized equipment, supplies, and services required to support research activities.
- Arrange and manage domestic and international shipments of equipment, scientific samples, and other research materials, including freight shipments when necessary.
- Coordinate closely with Princeton's Export Control Office and Office of Environmental Health & - Safety to ensure appropriate compliance with applicable University policies and regulations.
- Maintain accurate records related to procurement, shipments, equipment, and research materials.
Staff and Fellowship Administration
- Coordinate and support all activities related to the hiring of staff, fellows, and other personnel associated with the QLCI and PQI more broadly.
- Coordinate the cross-institutional postdoctoral fellowship program, including administrative processes and communication with participating institutions and fellows.
- Submit and track University eForms related to PQI personnel, including new hires, additional pay, and terminations.
- Process and coordinate Interfolio actions, including reappointments and promotions, for PQI-appointed personnel.
- Work closely with Human Resources, faculty leadership, and University administrative offices to ensure employee actions are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
Communications and Web Support
- Maintain and update project, faculty, and research group web pages as needed.
- Support PQI communications and outreach activities through digital and social media channels.
- Assist with the development of newsletters, announcements, promotional materials, and other communications using tools such as Mailchimp, Canva, and related marketing platforms.
- Ensure project information is communicated clearly and consistently to internal and external audiences.
Travel and Events
- Coordinate travel and logistics for project team members, faculty, researchers, and guests.
- Participate in and provide on-site coordination for project meetings, conferences, workshops, and events involving research partners and funding organizations.
- Support the planning and execution of collaborative events involving multiple institutions and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible project management or related experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong organizational, planning, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage projects with limited supervision.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, hands-on approach to addressing operational and project-related challenges.
- Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and tact when working with diverse stakeholders.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, researchers, administrators, senior leaders, external partners, distinguished guests, and visitors.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex information across diverse technical and professional audiences.
- Experience working effectively within an academic research environment.
- Experience maintaining and updating websites.
- Familiarity with social media and digital communications platforms.
- Experience with communications and marketing tools such as Mailchimp, Canva, or similar software.
Preferred
- Experience managing complex, multi-institutional research or academic projects.
- Experience working in a university, scientific research, or highly technical environment.
- Experience supporting federally or externally funded research programs and sponsored projects.
- Experience with grant administration, budgeting, procurement, reporting, or compliance.
- Experience coordinating personnel activities, hiring processes, or fellowship programs.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies and project tracking tools.
- Experience coordinating domestic and international research travel, shipments, and events.
- Familiarity with quantum science, engineering, physics, materials science, photonics, or another STEM-related research discipline is desirable but not required.
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.