What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager position at Vanderbilt University?
Lab Manager
About The Logan Lab
The Logan Lab, directed by Dr. Jessica Logan, studies the research methods that scientists use to understand how children learn over time, with a particular focus on the academic skills of children with or at risk for learning disabilities. The lab is also committed to improving data management, data sharing, and data quality practices in education and developmental science research.
The lab currently comprises three postdoctoral researchers, three doctoral students, and three master's students. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-driven research environment and play a central role in shaping day-to-day lab operations and culture.
Position Overview
The Lab Manager will serve as an operational and organizational hub for the Logan Lab. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of lab operations, fostering a positive and productive team culture, and ensuring that grant deliverables and budgets are managed with precision. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership instincts, a collaborative spirit, and the administrative expertise needed to support a dynamic, multi-project research environment. The successful candidate will act as direct manager to the Administrative Assistant (hiring currently in progress.)
Key Responsibilities
Team Management & Lab Culture
Required
About The Logan Lab
The Logan Lab, directed by Dr. Jessica Logan, studies the research methods that scientists use to understand how children learn over time, with a particular focus on the academic skills of children with or at risk for learning disabilities. The lab is also committed to improving data management, data sharing, and data quality practices in education and developmental science research.
The lab currently comprises three postdoctoral researchers, three doctoral students, and three master's students. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-driven research environment and play a central role in shaping day-to-day lab operations and culture.
Position Overview
The Lab Manager will serve as an operational and organizational hub for the Logan Lab. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of lab operations, fostering a positive and productive team culture, and ensuring that grant deliverables and budgets are managed with precision. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership instincts, a collaborative spirit, and the administrative expertise needed to support a dynamic, multi-project research environment. The successful candidate will act as direct manager to the Administrative Assistant (hiring currently in progress.)
Key Responsibilities
Team Management & Lab Culture
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and high-functioning lab environment for all members
- Support onboarding, mentorship, and professional development of lab members
- Recruit, interview, train, and supervise undergraduate and graduate student research assistants
- Organize regular team meetings, social events, and initiatives to strengthen lab morale and cohesion
- Serve as a primary point of contact for lab members navigating institutional processes and resources
- Monitor and manage budgets across multiple sponsored projects, including federally-funded initiatives
- Make informed budgeting decisions and track expenditures to ensure compliance with grant requirements
- Gather and report data for annual reporting in alignment with NIH reporting requirements
- Coordinate with university sponsored projects offices as needed
- Lead coordination of the lab's annual five-day training workshop held at Vanderbilt's Peabody College
- Manage the workshop application process, including recruitment, admissions, and trainee matriculation
- Work with program faculty and external consultants to ensure successful workshop execution
- Assumes primary responsibility for onboarding the Administrative Assistant
- Provides guidance and structure for Administrative Assistant
- Assumes responsibility for liasing between the Administrative Assistant and Human Resources
Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, education, public health, research administration, or related discipline)
- Demonstrated experience in research or academic administration, project management, or a related role
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint)
- Ability to work autonomously and anticipate needs of the lab
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- Prior experience managing a research lab, team, or academic program
- Familiarity with NIH grant structure, reporting requirements, or sponsored projects administration
- Experience supporting budget management across multiple concurrent grants or projects
- Background in education, developmental psychology, or learning disabilities research
- Experience with data management tools, REDCap, or project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Notion)
- This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week)
- Position is grant-funded; continued employment is contingent on funding availability
- Salary is commensurate with education and experience