Research Administrator

About the role

The Office of Sponsored Programs assists all members of the Syracuse University community with the submission of proposals for external support of research, creative, instructional, and service activities. The Research Administrator II performs independently a wide range of administrative tasks in each of the Office of Sponsored Programs primary function areas, including reviewing proposals and awards, and negotiating and preparing contracts and grants, and demonstrates a working knowledge and technical expertise of University and sponsor policies and procedures. This position reports to the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs.

Responsibilities

• Negotiates, initiates and prepares recommended language for contracts.
• Reviews and develops the complete range of proposal budgets to ensure that proposals and awards conform to University and sponsor policies.
• Revises budgets and/or proposals as required and assures that all transmittal letters and records, including computer input data sheets, are prepared.
• Develops proposal outlines and assists with and/or processes electronic proposal preparation and submission.
• Independently performs duties which require special analyses as they relate to all facets of research administration, such as sponsored project lifecycle management and closeout.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and training in an administrative area (management, accounting, finance, technology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Minimum of four (4) years of administrative experience, preferably in the field of research administration, required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and manipulating budgets using Microsoft Excel is required.
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word, and to a lesser degree Access and PowerPoint, is required to be successful in this position.

Skills

• Working knowledge of the federal regulations that govern University handling of federal grants and cooperative agreements, commonly referred to as the Uniform Guidance.
• Ability to discern the relationship between federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Experience working with proposals and awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is preferred.
• Contract negotiation skills with corporate entities and federal agencies is preferred.
• Must be organized and able to manage multiple deadlines in a calm, accurate, and consistent manner.
• Significant analytical and problem-solving skills, with particular attention to detail.
• Positive attitude and aptitude to work effectively and efficiently with faculty and staff in the pursuit of externally sponsored funding to the University.
• Demonstrated prior experience working within higher education sponsored programs offices, academic departments, or similar offices that support externally funded research and scholarly activity is highly desirable.