Project Director Jobs at Columbia University with Visa Sponsorship
Project Director jobs at Columbia University span research centers, academic departments, and sponsored programs, where roles typically require managing complex, grant-funded initiatives. Columbia has an established international hiring infrastructure and sponsors multiple visa categories for qualified Project Directors, making it a realistic target for international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building: ARB
Salary Range: Minimum: $66,300 - Maximum: $75,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Collaborative Lab for Energy Access Research and Solutions (CLEARS), based in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, seeks a Project Coordinator I (Field Research Operations) to support its field research portfolio in Ghana and Eastern Africa. The lab’s work spans household air pollution and child health, clean cooking and energy access, climate and health, and research training, and is anchored by a long-standing partnership with research centers and Universities in Africa.
The Project Coordinator will provide operational, data management, and research coordination support across the lab’s active studies, which include longitudinal cohort follow-up, randomized field trials, and survey-based research. This position will work closely with faculty investigators and international partners to support field implementation, data workflows, logistics, and cross-institutional coordination.
The role requires strong organizational skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to operate effectively in both academic and field-based research environments.
Position is based in New York, NY. The position requires international travel, primarily to Ghana. Work involves both office-based coordination and field-based research activities in rural and urban settings.
Responsibilities
Field Research Coordination - 30%
- Support implementation of the lab’s field research projects in Ghana under the guidance of principal investigators.
- Coordinate field activities including household recruitment, survey administration, and intervention rollout in close coordination with international partners.
- Assist in training, scheduling, and supervision support for enumerator teams in collaboration with local research partners.
- Monitor field progress and support adherence to study protocols and timelines.
- Identify and escalate operational issues to senior research staff and investigators as needed.
Data Management and Quality Assurance - 25%
- Support the design, implementation, and maintenance of electronic data collection systems (e.g., ODK or similar platforms).
- Conduct routine data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance checks.
- Maintain organized and well-documented datasets using R and/or other statistical software.
- Support version control and documentation of research workflows using GitHub or equivalent platforms.
- Assist in preparing datasets for analysis and reporting purposes.
Logistics and Field Operations Support - 20%
- Assist in procurement processes, inventory tracking, and management of field supplies.
- Coordinate shipping and distribution of materials between US and Ghana-based teams.
- Support logistical planning for field travel, accommodations, and on-site operations.
- Maintain records of field operations, budgets, and inventory in coordination with administrative staff.
Stakeholder and Project Coordination - 15%
- Serve as a liaison between Columbia University, the Kintampo Health Research Centre, and other academic and government partners.
- Coordinate meetings, document action items, and track project deliverables across teams.
- Support preparation of presentations, reports, and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
- Assist in communication of project updates to funders and collaborators.
Research Support - 10%
- Contribute to synthesis of research findings for non-technical and policy audiences.
- Assist in preparation of reports, briefs, and presentations related to project outcomes.
- Support data visualization and basic exploratory analysis in collaboration with research staff.
- Support IRB and related research compliance tasks.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of research goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in research support, project coordination, or related field, preferred.
- Strong organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while following structured research protocols.
- Strong problem-solving and adaptability in field settings.
- Experience working in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Master’s degree in public health, environmental policy, environmental science, economics, or related field (or in progress).
- Experience supporting field-based research projects or public health studies.
- Familiarity with electronic data collection tools (e.g., ODK/REDCap or similar platforms, or willingness to learn).
- Working proficiency in R and/or other statistical software.
- Experience using GitHub or similar version control systems (or willingness to learn).
- Exposure to GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
- Strong interest in energy systems, environmental health, or sustainable development.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building: ARB
Salary Range: Minimum: $66,300 - Maximum: $75,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Collaborative Lab for Energy Access Research and Solutions (CLEARS), based in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, seeks a Project Coordinator I (Field Research Operations) to support its field research portfolio in Ghana and Eastern Africa. The lab’s work spans household air pollution and child health, clean cooking and energy access, climate and health, and research training, and is anchored by a long-standing partnership with research centers and Universities in Africa.
The Project Coordinator will provide operational, data management, and research coordination support across the lab’s active studies, which include longitudinal cohort follow-up, randomized field trials, and survey-based research. This position will work closely with faculty investigators and international partners to support field implementation, data workflows, logistics, and cross-institutional coordination.
The role requires strong organizational skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to operate effectively in both academic and field-based research environments.
Position is based in New York, NY. The position requires international travel, primarily to Ghana. Work involves both office-based coordination and field-based research activities in rural and urban settings.
Responsibilities
Field Research Coordination - 30%
- Support implementation of the lab’s field research projects in Ghana under the guidance of principal investigators.
- Coordinate field activities including household recruitment, survey administration, and intervention rollout in close coordination with international partners.
- Assist in training, scheduling, and supervision support for enumerator teams in collaboration with local research partners.
- Monitor field progress and support adherence to study protocols and timelines.
- Identify and escalate operational issues to senior research staff and investigators as needed.
Data Management and Quality Assurance - 25%
- Support the design, implementation, and maintenance of electronic data collection systems (e.g., ODK or similar platforms).
- Conduct routine data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance checks.
- Maintain organized and well-documented datasets using R and/or other statistical software.
- Support version control and documentation of research workflows using GitHub or equivalent platforms.
- Assist in preparing datasets for analysis and reporting purposes.
Logistics and Field Operations Support - 20%
- Assist in procurement processes, inventory tracking, and management of field supplies.
- Coordinate shipping and distribution of materials between US and Ghana-based teams.
- Support logistical planning for field travel, accommodations, and on-site operations.
- Maintain records of field operations, budgets, and inventory in coordination with administrative staff.
Stakeholder and Project Coordination - 15%
- Serve as a liaison between Columbia University, the Kintampo Health Research Centre, and other academic and government partners.
- Coordinate meetings, document action items, and track project deliverables across teams.
- Support preparation of presentations, reports, and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
- Assist in communication of project updates to funders and collaborators.
Research Support - 10%
- Contribute to synthesis of research findings for non-technical and policy audiences.
- Assist in preparation of reports, briefs, and presentations related to project outcomes.
- Support data visualization and basic exploratory analysis in collaboration with research staff.
- Support IRB and related research compliance tasks.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of research goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in research support, project coordination, or related field, preferred.
- Strong organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while following structured research protocols.
- Strong problem-solving and adaptability in field settings.
- Experience working in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Master’s degree in public health, environmental policy, environmental science, economics, or related field (or in progress).
- Experience supporting field-based research projects or public health studies.
- Familiarity with electronic data collection tools (e.g., ODK/REDCap or similar platforms, or willingness to learn).
- Working proficiency in R and/or other statistical software.
- Experience using GitHub or similar version control systems (or willingness to learn).
- Exposure to GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
- Strong interest in energy systems, environmental health, or sustainable development.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all Project Director Jobs at Columbia University
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Director Jobs at Columbia University.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Project Director Jobs at Columbia University
Frame your grant management credentials precisely
Columbia Project Directors typically oversee federally funded research or academic programs. Tailor your CV to highlight specific funding sources you've managed, compliance experience, and cross-departmental coordination, since these align directly with how Columbia scopes these roles.
Target department-specific openings over central postings
Project Director roles at Columbia often originate within specific schools or research centers like the Mailman School of Public Health or SIPA. Checking those departmental job pages directly surfaces openings faster than waiting for central HR listings to populate.
Clarify your visa category before the offer stage
Columbia sponsors H-1B, E-3, and TN visas for Project Directors, but the right pathway depends on your nationality and role structure. Confirm which classification your position qualifies under before negotiating your start date, since DOL Labor Condition Application timelines affect when you can begin.
Understand how OPT cap-gap affects your start date
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT to H-1B sponsorship at Columbia, the cap-gap provision protects your status between OPT expiration and October 1. Confirm with Columbia's Office of International Faculty and Scholar Services whether your role qualifies before your OPT end date.
Request a PERM timeline discussion for long-term planning
Columbia sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 green cards for eligible staff. If permanent residency is your goal, ask the hiring team early whether the Project Director role qualifies for PERM sponsorship, since the USCIS and DOL process can take years and earlier initiation matters.
Use Migrate Mate to filter Project Director openings by visa type
Columbia posts Project Director roles across multiple portals and departments. Use Migrate Mate to filter Columbia's active openings specifically by the visa type you need, so you're applying to positions where sponsorship for your category is already confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia University sponsor H-1B visas for Project Directors?
Yes, Columbia University sponsors H-1B visas for Project Director roles where the position qualifies as a specialty occupation. Project Directors managing complex, grant-funded programs with a requirement for a relevant bachelor's degree or higher typically meet the specialty occupation standard. Columbia's Office of International Faculty and Scholar Services coordinates the petition process, and your employer files the H-1B on your behalf with USCIS.
How do I apply for Project Director jobs at Columbia University?
Applications go through Columbia's central careers portal at columbia.edu/careers, though individual schools and research centers sometimes post separately. Read each posting carefully to identify the sponsoring department and confirm whether the role involves federal grant management, which is common for Project Directors. Tailoring your application to the specific program area and funding structure described in the posting will strengthen your candidacy significantly.
Which visa types does Columbia University use for Project Director roles?
Columbia sponsors H-1B, E-3 visa, TN visa, and F-1 OPT or CPT for Project Directors, depending on your nationality and employment situation. Australians are well-positioned for E-3 visa sponsorship, which has no lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa. For long-term candidates, Columbia also supports EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa pathways through the PERM labor certification process.
What qualifications does Columbia University expect for Project Director candidates?
Columbia's Project Director roles typically require a master's degree or higher in a relevant field, along with substantial experience managing federally funded or large-scale institutional programs. Familiarity with compliance frameworks like NIH or NSF grant requirements is often expected. Roles within research-intensive schools like Mailman or Arts and Sciences frequently require demonstrated experience leading interdisciplinary teams and managing multi-year project budgets.
How long does visa sponsorship processing take for Columbia University Project Directors?
For H-1B and E-3 sponsorships, Columbia's international services office typically needs several weeks to prepare filings after an offer is accepted. USCIS standard processing for an H-1B petition takes three to five months. E-3 consular processing in Australia is generally faster, often two to four weeks from application to visa issuance. Use Migrate Mate to identify roles at Columbia where sponsorship is already confirmed so you can plan your timeline accurately from the start.