What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Research Programs Intern position at The State University of New York?
Location: Albany, NY Category: Student Assistant Positions Posted On: Fri Mar 27 2026 Job Description:
The SUNY System Administration Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED) seeks a Strategic Research Programs Intern. The intern will report to Sam Cowles, Strategic Programs and Projects Manager for ORIED. The intern will assist in administering SUNY's system-wide strategic research programs, including the SUNY Empire Innovation Program (EIP), the SUNY Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, the SUNY-Para la Naturaleza Program, the SUNY Research Seed Grant Program, and the SUNY Climate Taskforce.
The ORIED Strategic Research Programs Intern will play a key role in organizing information and data for dissemination across SUNY's network of faculty-researchers and campuses. This is an opportunity to apply your academic learning in a professional setting, receive structured mentoring, and build highly transferable skills in public administration and higher education administration while contributing to the support of SUNY's strategic research priorities.
The internship is open to currently enrolled SUNY students. We strongly encourage firstgeneration college students to apply. We also encourage students interested in public administration, higher education administration, and/or grant administration to apply. Programs administered by ORIED are designed to support the following strategic research priorities: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Energy and Sustainability, Microelectronics (Semiconductors), and Quantum Computing; interest in these subjects is valued but not required.
Job Requirements:
Time and Salary: The assistantship is for the summer of 2026, with a possibility to extend into the fall semester of 2026. This position is for up to 29 hours a week between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Thursday. The rate of pay is $16 per hour for undergraduate students, $18 per hour for graduate students, and $20 per hour for doctoral students.
The SUNY System Administration Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED) seeks a Strategic Research Programs Intern. The intern will report to Sam Cowles, Strategic Programs and Projects Manager for ORIED. The intern will assist in administering SUNY's system-wide strategic research programs, including the SUNY Empire Innovation Program (EIP), the SUNY Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, the SUNY-Para la Naturaleza Program, the SUNY Research Seed Grant Program, and the SUNY Climate Taskforce.
The ORIED Strategic Research Programs Intern will play a key role in organizing information and data for dissemination across SUNY's network of faculty-researchers and campuses. This is an opportunity to apply your academic learning in a professional setting, receive structured mentoring, and build highly transferable skills in public administration and higher education administration while contributing to the support of SUNY's strategic research priorities.
The internship is open to currently enrolled SUNY students. We strongly encourage firstgeneration college students to apply. We also encourage students interested in public administration, higher education administration, and/or grant administration to apply. Programs administered by ORIED are designed to support the following strategic research priorities: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Energy and Sustainability, Microelectronics (Semiconductors), and Quantum Computing; interest in these subjects is valued but not required.
- Assist with the administration of various ORIED programs, including, but not limited to:
- The SUNY Empire Innovation Program
- The SUNY Research Seed Grant Program
- SUNY STRIVE
- The SUNY Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund
- SUNY-Para la Naturaleza
- Update, verify, and maintain program-level tracking spreadsheets and shared folders
- Create user-friendly, shared documents by compiling and combining disparate sources of information
- Support staff in the use of Foundant grant management software
- Build application documents, forms, and communication templates that relate to Requests for Proposals issued by ORIED, from pre-award through post-award stages in the Foundant grant management software
- Monitor program e-mail inboxes and reply to inquiries as requested
- Shadow staff in virtual and in-person meetings with key program stakeholders
- Perform other assigned duties, as requested
Job Requirements:
- Strong proficiency across the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Forms) and interest in working in those applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to format documents and slide decks for presentations or public consumption
- Ability to focus on tasks with close attention to detail, and willingness to correct errors proactively
- Ability to meet deadlines while balancing competing priorities
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Eagerness to learn on the job and develop a variety of skillsets, such as new software applications
- Currently enrolled as a SUNY student
- Interest in working in the fields of public administration, higher education administration, grant administration, or similar
- Interest in one or more of SUNY's strategic research priorities is a plus, but not required to be successful: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Energy and Sustainability, Microelectronics (Semiconductors), and Quantum Computing
- A 3.0 or better GPA
- Upper-level or graduate/PhD student
- Ability to work at least three days per week
Time and Salary: The assistantship is for the summer of 2026, with a possibility to extend into the fall semester of 2026. This position is for up to 29 hours a week between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Thursday. The rate of pay is $16 per hour for undergraduate students, $18 per hour for graduate students, and $20 per hour for doctoral students.
Salary : $16 - $20