Job Information

• Req Id: 44417
• Job Title: Research Lab Administrator
• City: West Lafayette
• Posting Start Date: 10/6/26

Job Description

Job Summary

Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts is seeking a Research Lab Administrator to provide operational, administrative, and logistical support for the Governance and Responsible AI Lab (GRAIL). Working under limited supervision, this professional level role supports daily center operations; coordinates onboarding for undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and postdocs; assists with partnership-building, fundraising initiatives, grant preparation, and post‑award administration; manages events, visitor logistics; and maintains center communications, website, and social media presence.

This is a limited-term duration of 3-years. Continuation will be dependent upon funding.

This position is on-site, working on Purdue’s West Lafayette, IN campus.

Responsibilities Include

• Coordinate daily center operations, including scheduling, purchasing, reimbursements, and communication through platforms such as Slack, Outlook, and Google Drive.
• Manage onboarding and offboarding processes and maintain timely personnel records for students, postdocs, and center affiliates.
• Assist with building relationships with partners and potential funders, supports donor engagement and grant opportunity identification, and support grant proposal preparation, compliance tracking, and budget monitoring.
• Plan and execute events including workshops, seminars, and guest visits (travel, lodging, itineraries, venues, catering).
• Support engagement activities on Purdue campus and recruitment activities for student research assistants.
• Manage center social media accounts (e.g., on Twitter/X and LinkedIn) and internal/external communication needs and materials.
• Oversee administration for the center’s datasets, including subscriptions, access logistics, and coordination with technical partners.
• Perform website updates and maintenance.

What We're Looking For

Required

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Communications, Business Administration, or another field related to the center’s work.
• Two years of experience in administrative coordination, research support, or academic operations.
• In lieu of degree, a combination of experience and education will be considered (IE: Associate’s Degree + 4 years of experience, or High School Diploma + 6 years of experience).

Skills Needed

• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and strategically with a wide variety stakeholders
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technology-centered environment.
• Experience with event logistics and digital communication tools.

What is Helpful

• Master’s Degree.
• Experience with grants or fundraising efforts.
• Experience planning and managing events and communications.
• Experience with graphic design, website design, and/or maintenance.
• Experience in a university research lab or center environment.
• Experience with software or web development or data science are welcome.

Additional Information

• For full consideration, candidates should submit a cover letter as well as a resume or CV.
• To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary CLICK HERE
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan
• Career Stream: Professional 2
• Pay Band: S065
• Job Code: #20003177

Equal Opportunity Statement

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.