Research Funding Administrator

The University of Georgia (UGA), chartered in 1785, is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university. Ranked among the top 20 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, UGA’s main campus is in Athens, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and over 7,700 full-time staff, serving more than 41,000 students across 19 schools and colleges.

About the Role

Reporting to the Joint Director of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) and the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), the Research Funding Administrator is a senior-level grants management professional overseeing pre-award administration for the Centers, which receive over $20M per year in external funding. This role manages the full grant lifecycle, tracks progress, and provides updates to faculty, while serving as a liaison with the Office of Sponsored Projects and funding agencies. The position also supports faculty in proposal development and award administration, represents the Centers on institutional committees, and requires strong communication skills and the ability to meet strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Proposal Development & Submission Leadership – 40%
  • Serve as an expert resource for complex proposal development, reporting requirements, and electronic research administration systems.
  • Lead proposal submissions as institutional signatory (DLSA), including direct submission to funding agencies without OSP review.
  • Assist faculty by drafting proposal sections, completing forms, and supervising staff involved in proposal preparation.
  • Develop complex budgets, budget justifications, and multi-variable spreadsheets.
  • Interpret sponsor guidelines, policies, and agency expectations to ensure compliant proposals.
  • Provide strategic updates to Centers leadership regarding status, trends, and opportunities related to pending and active grant submissions.
• Grant Management & Administration – 35%
  • Manage awards from submission through closeout, including reporting, progress tracking, and compliance.
  • Respond to inquiries from funding agencies, faculty, and OSP.
  • Prepare justifications for special approvals and account modifications.
  • Process administrative actions such as no-cost extensions, residual balances, and pending award requests to ensure continuity of funding.
  • Prepare current and pending support documentation for various sponsors (NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, etc.).
• Deadline & Compliance Coordination – 10%
  • Monitor and communicate proposal requirements, submission status, and outstanding items to faculty.
  • Ensure adherence to sponsor guidelines and internal policies.
  • Track and notify faculty of upcoming deadlines for proposals, progress reports, and renewals.
  • Prepare and submit administrative portions of required reports.
  • Maintain a comprehensive database of active and pending grants (budgets, effort, timelines, and details).
• Faculty Support & Funding Strategy – 10%
  • Provide direct support to faculty and collaborators (internal and external) throughout the proposal lifecycle.
  • Identify funding opportunities and align them with faculty research interests.
  • Advise faculty on grantsmanship and proposal competitiveness.
• Policy, Committees & Professional Engagement – 5%
  • Contribute to Centers leadership through advice and counsel as a member of the Senior Staff.
  • Participate in research administration groups (e.g., RADG) and serve on or lead institutional committees.
  • Contribute to development of research administration policies and practices.
  • Maintain current knowledge of institutional, federal, state, and sponsor regulations.
  • Complete other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• 5 years of professional experience in grants or research administration.
• Certified Decentralized Limited Signature Authority (DLSA) Practitioner designation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA) related to sponsored research.
• In-depth understanding of pre-award and post-award grant administration processes.
• Familiarity with institutional policies, financial administration, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with electronic research administration systems and grant submission platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with faculty, agencies, and institutional offices.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Financial and budgeting skills, including development of complex, multi-variable grant budgets.
• Ability to independently manage the full lifecycle of grants from proposal development through closeout.
• High level of attention to detail, initiative, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

• Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and research administration systems.
• Organizational skills for tracking proposals, awards, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and sponsor guidelines accurately.
• Ability to work under pressure and consistently meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners.

Benefits

This position is benefits-eligible and participates in the TRS or ORP retirement plan.

Pay

Advertised salary of $65,000+ commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time position with normal hours of 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday. Hours and days may vary based on grant workload.