SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners. More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

About the role

The Departmental Research Administrator (DRA) serves as a key operational and financial partner to faculty and research teams in the administration and stewardship of sponsored projects. As part of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the DRA supports the post-award management of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects, helping investigators navigate sponsor requirements, manage project resources effectively, and maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations. The DRA works closely with Principal Investigators, departmental personnel, Proposal Analysts, and other SPA colleagues to support award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, prior approval requests, and award closeout activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle. This role helps ensure that sponsored projects remain financially sustainable, operationally effective, and aligned with sponsor and institutional requirements as project needs evolve over time. The DRA may also provide operational or post-award perspective during proposal budgeting and implementation planning to support effective project transitions and long-term award management.

Successful DRAs combine strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, identify potential risks or issues, and provide practical guidance in a dynamic research environment. The position requires independent judgment, collaborative problem solving, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach to supporting research and scholarly activity.

Responsibilities

• Support post-award management of sponsored projects, including award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, prior approval requests, and award closeout.
• Help investigators navigate sponsor requirements and manage project resources effectively to maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, departmental personnel, Proposal Analysts, and other SPA colleagues throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.
• Provide operational or post-award perspective during proposal budgeting and implementation planning.
• Interpret complex regulations and communicate them clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience and expertise.
• Identify potential risks or issues and develop practical, service-oriented solutions in a dynamic research environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, or other restricted funds in a higher education, research, healthcare, nonprofit, governmental, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying sponsor, institutional, or regulatory requirements in support of financial or operational decision-making.
• Ability to coordinate multiple competing priorities and manage complex workflows with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex policies, financial concepts, or compliance requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience and expertise.
• Experience identifying issues, analyzing risks, and developing practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Experience working collaboratively across administrative or operational units to support shared processes or outcomes.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies).
• Experience with sponsored projects administration systems, enterprise financial systems, or electronic research administration platforms.

Skills

• Knowledge of principles associated with sponsored projects administration, financial stewardship, and research compliance.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial, operational, and regulatory information in support of sponsored project management.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage complex workloads with strong attention to detail and competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to understand, convey, and advise on complex regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with individuals possessing varying levels of technical, financial, or regulatory knowledge.
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships and effectively coordinate activities across administrative, operational, and academic units.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with a diverse set of individuals and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, and administration.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and discretion in a complex and evolving operational environment.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate potential impacts, and develop practical, service-oriented solutions.
• Demonstrated skills with MS Office applications including Excel (utilizing basic formulas) and Word.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 1+ year of related experience.
• Experience working in an institution of higher education.
• Direct experience interpreting and applying regulations.
• Knowledge of government funding regulations, grant policies and procedures, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and sound knowledge of research administration.
• Experience using the Banner Financial Information System.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
• Contribute to a culture of environmental stewardship, practice resource conservation, and actively work toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week. Schedule to be determined. After the trial service period is completed, the supervisor may approve up to one day per week of remote work.

Pay

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $58,596 and $63,048 but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity. Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band.

Benefits

• 95% premium paid healthcare.
• Generous retirement and vacation package.
• Reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.