About Us: The Forever Green Initiative (FGI) is an innovation platform based in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. We use a comprehensive approach that combines research and development (R&D), commercialization, and cross-sector partnerships to advance “continuous living cover” (CLC) cropping systems. These CLC systems have the potential to simultaneously improve environmental outcomes, enhance productivity, and provide new economic opportunities to farmers and rural communities. This unique approach—grounded in science and yet market-driven—is emerging as a national model for driving systemic change in agriculture.

Continuous living cover systems can augment and complement current Midwestern cropping systems by integrating perennial and winter-annual crops that keep the soil covered with living, productive plants all year long. We are developing over 15 novel crops—such as Kernza® perennial grain, pennycress, camelina, winter barley, and hybrid hazelnuts—that offer both economic and environmental benefits, including multiple ingredients for food, feed, fuel and other end uses, as well as improved soil health, water quality, and enhanced biodiversity.

This position will be located in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, on the University of Minnesota campus in St. Paul, Minnesota.

About the Role: We are seeking an R&D Coordinator to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the FGI R&D enterprise, which consists of two main components: 1) the Forever Green Grant Program, and 2) the FGI Crop Teams. The R&D Coordinator will support both components.

To support our mission-driven interdisciplinary work, the Forever Green Grant Program solicits internal proposals at least biannually. Our funding is from State of Minnesota sources, such as the Clean Water Fund and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, that are administered in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The R&D Coordinator will have primary responsibility for administering this grant program, in collaboration with the FGI Co-Directors and R&D Executive Committee.

The FGI Crop Teams are multidisciplinary efforts organized to advance each FGI crop toward commercial readiness. Each team may include expertise in the areas of genomics, breeding, agronomics, natural resource sciences, food science, sociology, economics, and commercialization. The R&D Coordinator will enhance the functioning of these teams through a variety of supporting roles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administering the FGI Grant Program (50%)

• Supporting the development of the Request for Proposals (RFP), in collaboration with the FGI Co-Directors and R&D Executive Committee
• Managing systems to collect and organize proposals
• Disseminating the RFP and responding to questions from applicants
• Facilitating the peer review process, including by securing reviewers, providing them with materials, answering questions, scheduling review meetings, and staffing review meetings
• Communicating award decisions to applicants
• Administering awards, including working with Finance to set up budgets and fielding requests for award modifications
• Leading the process of reporting to funders, including writing overarching summary reports and coordinating the submission of reports from funded sub-projects
• Related activities necessary to manage a successful grant program

Supporting FGI Research Teams (30%)

• Developing and managing a system to 1) identify specific goals and objectives for each R&D team, 2) track progress against these goals and objectives, and 3) inform commercialization strategies
• Providing letters of support for external grant applications
• Where appropriate and as capacity allows, providing administrative and technical support for external grant applications
• Tracking FGI-related research grants
• Tracking FGI publications, patents, variety releases, student degree conferrals, faculty promotions, and other research achievements
• Working with communications staff to ensure public acknowledgment of the research achievements listed above

Supporting FG R&D Executive Committee (10%)

• Scheduling and staffing R&D Executive Committee meetings, including taking notes and tracking follow-up items
• Administering annual elections for R&D Executive Committee members

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

What you'll need:

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience equal to at least four years.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• A high level of accountability and follow-through.

WORK Environment: Hybrid

SALARY RANGE: $58,600 – $62,400, depending on education/qualifications/experience

For a full job description, click "Apply" to visit the UMN career site.

What we provide:

• MN State Retirement System (MSRS) pension plan - tax-deferred.
• Thirteen paid vacation days per year (starting accrual rate), in addition to 13 paid sick days and 11 paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities cover 75% - 100% of eligible tuition.
• Excellent and affordable health care benefits.
• Wellbeing Program (reduction in annual premiums).
• Yearly merit increase program.
• Many professional development opportunities.

Click here for more information: https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu