Research Administrator, Pre-Award III-School of Medicine

About the Role

This position is dedicated to the School of Medicine’s Business and Finance Research Office and requires a candidate with substantial pre-award research administration experience in a complex academic or healthcare environment. The successful candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of federal sponsors, with particular expertise in National Institutes of Health (NIH) policies, procedures, and proposal requirements. Candidates should also demonstrate experience working with a broad range of non-federal sponsors, including foundations, industry partners, and other funding organizations. A thorough understanding of Uniform Guidance regulations, cost sharing requirements, indirect cost methodologies, budget development, proposal review, and sponsor compliance expectations is essential.

The ideal candidate will interpret and apply sponsor guidelines, provide strategic guidance to investigators and departmental staff, and manage the review of complex funding proposals while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to institutional and sponsor requirements.

Tasks related to this position can be performed remotely with only occasional visits to an Emory University location. Eastern (EST) time zone business hours may apply. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to the employee.

Responsibilities

• Supports the day-to-day activities of a team of Pre-Award Specialists, monitors workload distribution, and raises concerns to the Research Administration Services (RAS) Director.
• Provides guidance to team members and coordinates with the RAS Director regarding pre-award activities, issue resolution, and workload distribution.
• Works with the Post-Award team lead to facilitate collaboration between pre-award and post-award teams.
• Manages pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts using knowledge of grant and contract management rules, technical expertise, and analytical skills.
• Manages day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio, contributing to cross-functional teams.
• Ensures effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards.
• Assists departmental faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals, ensuring compliance with agency and university guidelines and deadlines.
• Manages the Just-In-Time process and ensures proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner.
• Secures necessary sub-award documents for proposals by conferring with PIs and pre-award staff at collaborating institutions.
• Assists PIs in developing budgets and budget justifications, proofing for inconsistencies and accuracy.
• Reviews budgets for compliance with sponsor and university regulations, verifying financial information and overhead rates.
• Advises PIs on administrative requirements, budget adjustments, and revisions to meet sponsor requirements.
• Coordinates and reviews proposal elements (biosketches, facilities & resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
• Reviews proposals for compliance with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, and page limits.
• Monitors and facilitates the proposal process through routing, ensuring compliance with university procedures and obtaining necessary signatures.
• Monitors proposal status and advises PIs on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols.
• Collaborates effectively with central, school, departmental, and divisional offices on research proposals.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of work-related grants and contracts experience OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite software.

Emory does not approve this position for a primary work location in the following states: NJ, AK, HI, any U.S. Territories, or outside of the United States.