Senior Research Administrator

Department: WCAS Administration

About the role

The Senior Research Administrator supports the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Earth, Environmental, & Planetary Sciences. Reporting to the Manager of Research Administration, the position manages day-to-day research administration activities including proposal development, award management, and assisting with award closeout responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of relevant experience combined with the ability to demonstrate learning agility, practice active listening, have solid written and verbal communication skills, and be composed under deadlines. This role requires an understanding of federal grants and the capability to navigate federal policies and University guidelines around sponsored research. Candidates should be able to research and problem-solve complex issues. This is a full-time, hybrid position.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Award: Manages pre-award administration of grants and/or contracts, coordinates proposal submission, handles budget and justification preparation, completes sponsor and university forms, and coordinates IRB protocols, sub-recipients, and other activities as needed. Reviews solicitations and final applications to ensure all needed documents are prepared in accordance with requirements. Effectively communicates with department during submission processes.
• Post-Award: Coordinates post-award administration of research grants and/or contracts, reviews account establishment, and interprets award documents. Completes expenditure review, provides data needed for interim and financial reports, and facilitates account closeout activities coordinating with accounting services as needed. Oversees effort commitment and reporting.
• Financial: Oversees sponsored project portfolio, reviews transactions, and resolves issues that require a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing and/or effort reporting knowledge. Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.
• Compliance: Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices; local, state, federal, agency, and sponsor rules, regulations, and requirements regarding grant and/or contract administration. Recommends changes to improve programs, policy, and practices. Resolves compliance problems working in conjunction with supervisor and faculty.
• Human Resources: Provides research administration training. Mentors other administrative staff in research administration. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least five years of experience with at least two years of research administration experience and three years of research, finance, administrative, or other relevant experience.

Skills

• Organization, time management, and detail orientation
• Multi-tasking and communication skills
• Self-starter, diplomatic, proactive, and able to manage stress
• Demonstrates leadership by cooperatively anticipating and strategizing

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience working with federal sponsors such as NSF, DOE, NASA, and NIH
• Prior experience managing proposals and awards within a higher education environment
• Understanding of OMB Uniform Guidance, Research Terms & Conditions (FDP), and agency-specific terms and conditions
• Knowledge of other electronic federal proposal/award management systems, including www.grants.gov and Research.gov

Pay

The target hiring range for this position is between $78,500 - $98,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid medical/sick and parental leave
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care
• Generous retirement savings options
• Wellness programs
• Work-life and wellness programs, including flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care support
• Professional growth and development resources