The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Senior Research Administrator (NASA Grant Management). This is a soft-funded, renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Director, System Sponsored Programs & EPSCoR. The position is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION
This position supports the Nevada NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant programs, the Nevada EPSCoR program, and the System Sponsored Programs Office. The major purpose of the position is to provide pre award/post award research administration and programmatic oversight for the Nevada NASA programs that are awarded to NSHE from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The incumbent is responsible for coordination and preparation of proposal budgets; allocation of program funding; preparation of subawards to NSHE institutions; assistance with the reporting and evaluation requirements of the grant; and the performance of other administrative duties as needed. The incumbent also supervises, plans, coordinates and evaluates the work of the NASA Program Coordinator. The position provides support for the NASA EPSCoR & Space Grant Project Director, who has overall oversight for management of the NASA EPSCoR and Space Grant programs.
SALARY:Grade C (starting salary range approximately $75,000.00 to $83,250.00; depending on experience). A benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement.
APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE:February 1, 2025
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:The successful candidate must have an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A minimum of two (2) years progressive experience directly applicable to the position is required. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in non-profit/higher education grants management. Preference given to Certified Research Administrators (CRA). Experience with Workday preferred. US Citizenship required.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted until the position is filled. The review of materials will begin immediately, however, for full consideration applications should be submitted by January 5, 2025.
NSHE Secures DHS Grant for more than $500K to Strengthen Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness
[Las Vegas, NV] – The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) secured a $519,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. Through the “Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative,” this funding will bolster NSHE’s ongoing work to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors across all its higher education and research institutes.
This grant, part of a larger system-wide effort led by the Chancellor’s ad hoc Committee on Public Safety, will provide additional resources to boost safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts at all NSHE institutions. Formed to assess and prioritize safety initiatives, the committee works to identify opportunities for improving system-wide security measures. The TVTP grant will fund the creation of Threat Assessment Teams (TATs), implement a campaign to raise public awareness, and support case management systems that foster early intervention in potential threat situations.
“At NSHE, the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority,” said Chancellor Patricia Charlton. “Through the work of the Chancellor’s ad hoc Committee on Public Safety, we are committed to building a culture of safety and preparedness across all campuses. This grant strengthens our ability to assess and respond to threats in a proactive and coordinated way. We are grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for supporting this vital work.”
NSHE’s Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative will concentrate on two primary goals:
Raising Societal Awareness: The initiative will launch a broad public outreach effort to increase understanding of threat assessment and reporting processes. This effort will target NSHE’s diverse population of students, faculty, and staff across all NSHE institutions. Special attention will be given to underserved groups who may face greater risks of targeted violence, ensuring that they are informed and equipped to participate in safety efforts.
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams: Each NSHE institution will establish and train dedicated TATs. These teams will work collaboratively to assess, mitigate, and manage potential threats across campuses. The grant will also support the implementation of a case management system that enhances information sharing, ensuring that threats are identified and addressed before they escalate.
“The resources provided by this grant allow us to further strengthen our safety protocols,” said Arnold Vasquez, Interim Director of University Police Services Southern Command. “By implementing threat assessment teams and improving communication across our campuses, we can take a proactive approach to preventing violence and ensuring the well-being of our campus communities.”
In Northern Nevada, University Police Services will follow the same comprehensive approach. “This initiative equips us with the tools needed to enhance campus security and emergency preparedness,” said Eric James, Director of University Police Services Northern Command. “Through a combination of training, new systems, and increased awareness, we are making significant strides in protecting our students, faculty, and staff.”
The Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative aligns with NSHE’s long-term goal of enhancing safety and preparedness across its institutions. By strengthening existing partnerships with local and state law enforcement, campus safety officers, mental health professionals, and community organizations, this initiative ensures that NSHE continues to lead the way in campus safety efforts. In addition to creating threat assessment teams, the initiative will implement extensive training for students, faculty, and staff, empowering the entire community to recognize and report concerning behaviors, thereby fostering a safer environment for all.
NSHE is the first recipient in Nevada to receive this grant, awarded by the DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). CP3’s support underscores the importance of NSHE’s work in improving safety across its campuses.
To learn more about the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, you can visit the DHS website.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.
About NSHE
The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprising two doctoral-granting universities, a state university, four comprehensive community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serves Nevada’s educational and job training needs. NSHE offers educational opportunities to more than 106,000 students and is governed by the Board of Regents. Learn more at nshe.nevada.edu.
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Research Administrator. This is a grant-funded, renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Director of System Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR. The position is located in Las Vegas, NV.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION
The Research Administrator for the Nevada System of Higher Education will be responsible for providing preaward/post award research administration and daily programmatic oversight of education, workforce and research programs, including GEAR UP.
SALARY: $65,000 – $70,000
APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE:October 15, 2024
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:The successful candidate must have an earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. A minimum of 2 years progressive experience directly applicable to the position is required. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in non-profit/higher education grants management. Preference given to Certified Research Administrators (CRA). Experience with Workday preferred.
NSHE Awarded NASA EPSCoR Grant to Pioneer Robotics Research for Moon and Mars Objectives
[Las Vegas, NV] – The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has been awarded a $750K grant from NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to develop a statewide network of groundbreaking robotics research aimed at advancing NASA’s Moon-to-Mars objectives and paving the way for eventual deep space exploration. Over the next three years, this innovative project titled “Prospecting and Pre-Colonization of the Moon and Mars using Autonomous Robots with Human-in-the-Loop” will bring together scientists from the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), DRI and NASA’s Ames Research Center.
“This award highlights the exceptional talent and forward-thinking approach of Nevada’s researchers,” said Interim Chancellor Patricia Charlton. “This project will not only enhance our research capabilities but also inspire future generations of scientists and engineers in our state.”
The project aims to use robots to prepare and set up sites for future human and robot missions on the Moon and Mars. The research will take place in areas in Northern and Southern Nevada that mimic the conditions on the Moon and Mars, as well as at NASA testing facilities. This initiative will enhance Nevada’s research infrastructure and align with the state’s Economic Development Plan, strengthening the capabilities of the University of Nevada, Reno, UNLV, and DRI in fields like computer vision, robotics, virtual reality, hydrology, and environmental physics.
“By leveraging our state’s unique landscape and expertise, we aim to create cutting-edge robotic solutions that will enable colonization and sustainable human presence on other planets,” said Dr. Christos Papachristos, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Nevada Reno and Director of the Robotic Workers Lab.
Key Robotic Objectives and Activities:
Energy-Aware Autonomous Environmental Sampling: This includes exploring, mapping resources, detecting volatile substances, identifying hazards, and analyzing remote worksites.
Surface Engineering (SE): This involves clearing rocks and treating surfaces to reduce dust, which is crucial for preparing human colonies.
Human Cognition-Driven Supervision: Frameworks for efficient human supervision and coordination of off-planet prospecting and site clearing, mindful of severe communication constraints.
The project introduces several groundbreaking components, including self-deployable cable-driven robots for overhead monitoring and building, ground-based space worker robots for transporting large objects, Robots designed to search for resources with smart sampling technology, and an interactive digital worksite twin for remote mission commanding.
“The development of autonomous robots that can operate effectively in the challenging environments of the Moon and Mars is crucial for the success of future exploration missions. The innovative research NASA will conduct through this partnership will not only advance our understanding of these environments but also push the boundaries of robotic technology, enabling us to explore deeper into space than ever before,” said Terry Fong, chief roboticist of the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
“We are thrilled that NASA has chosen to fund the Nevada team and their pioneering research. This work will not only advance NASA’s missions but also foster significant technological development within Nevada and strengthen the collaborative relationship between NSHE researchers and the NASA Ames Research Center,” said Eric Wilcox, Director of Nevada NASA EPSCoR. “This project exemplifies the innovative spirit of our state’s research community and its potential to contribute to NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration efforts.”
Media Availability: Robotics demonstrations and interviews are available for members of the media at both the University of Nevada, Reno, and UNLV. Please reach out to Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021 to schedule a visit or interview with project researchers.
About NSHE
The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprising two doctoral-granting universities, a state university, four comprehensive community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serves Nevada’s educational and job training needs. NSHE offers educational opportunities to more than 106,000 students and is governed by the Board of Regents. Learn more at nshe.nevada.edu.
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Grant Accountant. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to SSPO/EPSCoR office. The position will be located in Las Vegas.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION
The incumbent will be responsible for the post award processing of sponsored programs. The post award position oversight of the following core functions: all aspects of the Workday financial system, processing budget modifications, expense and revenue transfers, revenue and expense budgets, appropriations, and extensions; in addition to effort reporting, data entry, subaward processing and account close-outs. This position will be required to calculate Facilities and Administrative costs associated with federal and/or for/non-profit awards. The incumbent will be required to invoice agencies for expenditures and prepare drawdowns with the sponsor. The incumbent is required to conduct sub monitoring of financial records, provide assistance as needed to research/project administrators internally and to NSHE institutions externally as directed by each subaward.
SALARY: Grade B (starting salary range approximately $55,000-$61,000 depending on experience). A benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement.
APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: June 1, 2024
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in public or business administration, accounting, finance or related field related to the position, (or) an Associate’s degree with one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in managing the administrative aspect of post award subrecipient monitoring, financial tracking of grants/contracts, provide financial assistance to grant/subaward recipients; and managing fiscal aspects of grants/subawards. Alternately, a combination of education and three (3) years of experience in managing fiscal aspects of grants/contracts/subaward or three (3) years of progressive responsibility in post award administration.
Preference will be given to candidates who have experience within Higher Education or Non-profit entities.
Nevada Receives NASA EPSCoR Research Award for $100,000
To deliver a payload to the International Space Station (ISS)
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has been awarded $100,000 over a period of three years for the project “A compact, non-invasive, and efficient vision screening system for long-term spaceflight missions.” This project is funded through The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), in collaboration with the International Space Station (ISS) Research Office.
Unique neuroocular changes affect a subset of astronauts who have completed prolonged spaceflight missions. Due to its unique pathophysiology, a new case definition was proposed, and the condition was renamed Spaceflight Associated Neuro‑ocular Syndrome (SANS). A significant barrier in determining the etiology of SANS while monitoring its risk of development and progression is the lack of technologies onboard long‑term spaceflight missions that are capable of measuring crew member’s vision in‑flight, objectively, quickly, and reliably.
Limitations of terrestrial analogs and the unknown factors contributing to SANS, such as microgravity, elevated CO2 levels, or other spaceflight exposures, present a significant unmet need in collecting physiological and functional data related to astronaut vision during long‑term spaceflight.
Therefore, the main objective of the proposed work is to deliver a payload to the International Space Station (ISS), comprising technologies that are designed to measure various aspects of astronauts’ vision quickly and reliably.
“Our technology integrates a fully developed battery of user‑friendly vision tests into a compact screening device, e.g., a virtual reality head-mounted display (VRHMD)”, said Dr. Alireza Tavakkoli, Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the technical lead for the project. “In‑flight vision screening data will be an invaluable asset to help scientists better study SANS and develop and monitor the effects of countermeasures”.
“The Nevada NASA EPSCoR program is thrilled that Dr. Tavakkoli and his team will have an opportunity to test their technology on the International Space Station”, said Dr. Eric Wilcox, Nevada NASA Programs Project Director. “The EPSCoR program is invaluable to researchers in Nevada to get our innovations out of the lab and into space.”
The long‑term goal of this project is to establish a suitable protocol for integrating this vision screening platform into future spaceflight missions to be able to monitor crew member’s visual health in real‑time and with frequencies currently not possible.
“We are proud that Dr. Tavakkoli and his team have this opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of our NASA astronauts,” University of Nevada, Reno Engineering Dean Erick Jones said. “One of our college’s main focus areas is unmanned vehicles and the new space frontier, and this work augments NASA’s efforts to explore the unknown in air and space, and to innovate for the benefit of humanity.”
“EPSCoR enables eligible states to advance in vital science and research areas,” Mridul Gautam, vice president for Research and Innovation at the University of Nevada, Reno and chair of the EPSCoR/IDeA Coalition Board, said. “With this NASA EPSCoR funding support and inspired leadership from our faculty, research in computer science and atmospheric sciences will continue to help the University produce a highly prepared workforce.”
About NSHE: The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of two doctoral-granting research universities, a state university, four comprehensive community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serves the educational and job training needs of Nevada. NSHE provides educational opportunities to more than 100,000 students and is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents. The System includes the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada State College, Desert Research Institute, the College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada College. For more information regarding NSHE please visit: https://nshe.nevada.edu/
About the Nevada System Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR: The mission of the Nevada System Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR is to promote collaboration and multidisciplinary learning among NSHE institutions, and to enable alignment of efforts with the needs of the state to increase research and STEM competitiveness. The goal is to create new opportunities in the State of Nevada for workforce development and promote the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines for the state. For more information regarding Nevada EPSCoR please visit: https://epscorspo.nevada.edu/
###
For inquires, please contact Mayara Cueto-Diaz, mcueto-diaz@nshe.nevada.edu.
We would like to congratulate Dr. Jenny Ouyang, Associate Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno for receiving a U.S. Fulbright Scholar fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year. She was a previous NSF EPSCoR RII Track-4 recipient for her research on understanding how animals adapt to urban environments. Dr. Ouyang said “the EPSCoR grant allowed me to set up the field sites currently used in my research to understand how urbanization impacts behavior, physiology, and fitness in birds. We found notable differences between urban and rural individuals, such that I am very keen on seeing if these differences would be similar in the tropics, which is the research topic of my Fulbright.”
Her Fulbright fellowship is part of her yearlong sabbatical where she’ll focus on researching birds, mainly house wrens, in various locations, both rural and urban, across the globe to see if the same behavioral patterns emerge that she has observed in northern Nevada. Upon completion of her research, she’s hoping to find how we can change cities to benefit human and animal health. Ouyang will be examining the effects of pollutants, such as city light, noise and heavy metals to see how we can make cities more livable.
We are excited to announce the website launch for the RII Track-1: Harnessing the Data Revolution for Fire Science (HDRFS) project.
On theHDRFS website, you can find information about our project and the different research components, as well as funding opportunities and resources as they become available. The new website will be updated regularly with timely updates about our programs, recent news, and upcoming events.
The overarching goal of the HDRFS project is to increase the capacity of Nevada for wildland fire research, education, and workforce development and to demonstrate this increased capacity through technology-enhanced fire science in the regionally important sagebrush ecosystem.
This project is funded through the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR); whose mission is to enhance research competitiveness of targeted jurisdictions (states, territories, commonwealth) by strengthening STEM capacity and capability through a diverse portfolio of investments from talent development to local infrastructure.
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Senior Research Administrator (NASA Grant Management). This is a soft-funded, renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Director, System Sponsored Programs & EPSCoR. The position is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Nevada Receives NASA EPSCoR Research Award for $100,000
