HudsonAlpha - Research Administrator - Research Administration & Development

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a non-profit organization dedicated to using biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to pursue science careers, and educate the public on the importance of science. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, HudsonAlpha features state-of-the-art laboratories for genomics, genetics, and personalized medicine research and education.

About the Role

This position supports research grant and contract administration, providing pre-award and post-award support to principal investigators, project directors, and senior administrators. Responsibilities include proposal preparation, budget development, award setup, compliance tracking, and post-award management.

Responsibilities

• Assists Principal Investigators and Project Directors (PIs/PDs) with proposal development, including budget preparation, assembling proposal documents, reviewing sponsor guidelines, and ensuring adherence to requirements.
• Coordinates with PIs/PDs to ensure proposals meet sponsor requirements and consults with Research Compliance to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and HudsonAlpha procedures.
• Coordinates proposal submissions through sponsor systems such as Grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, and NSF Research.gov.
• Coordinates with HudsonAlpha Accounting to set up awards in the financial system and reviews grant management procedures with PIs/PDs.
• Provides primarily non-financial post-award management, including monitoring compliance, tracking reporting deadlines, supporting progress and financial reports, processing re-budgeting, no-cost extensions, and coordinating award closeout.
• May negotiate contracts and subcontracts, monitor subaward progress, and ensure compliance with FFATA (Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act).
• Assists with monitoring sponsor training requirements, coordinating training, and tracking researcher compliance.
• Maintains grant records and data tracking within electronic research administration (eRA) systems.
• Attends professional meetings, maintains knowledge of current guidelines, contributes to internal documentation, and participates in professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Science, or a related field.
• For RA I: Zero to three years of experience in grants administration, research administration, or a similarly detail-oriented environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• For RA II: Three to five years of experience in grants administration or research administration; Advanced degree (MA, MS) preferred. Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential is a plus.
• Developing or working knowledge of regulatory agency and grant sponsor rules (e.g., NIH, NSF, USDA, Department of Energy, OMB/Uniform Guidance).
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn federal electronic proposal submission systems (Grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF Research.gov).
• Ability to review, organize, analyze, and interpret grant and contract documentation accurately.

Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Google Workspace; experience with Apple operating platform preferred.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Works independently and collaboratively with a growth mindset and proactive attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to handle confidential data with discretion.
• Passion for HudsonAlpha’s mission and serving researchers’ needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Generous paid time off.
• Professional development support.

Pay

Salary Range: $62,000 - $85,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Must remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Frequent movement between work areas and transporting materials up to 30 pounds.
• Vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Frequent operation of office and laboratory equipment.
• Exposure to chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards, hazardous substances, and moderate noise levels.

Mental Functions

• Continuous mental and visual attention, requiring sustained focus and observation.
• Excellent fine motor skills and hand control for accurate pipetting and documentation.
• Ability to sustain focus during research procedures and record outcomes accurately.
• Strong organizational, logical thinking, and deduction skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to change, and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, in English.
• Ability to work productively in diverse teams and collaborate with external partners.
• Positive, flexible, and professional attitude.