Specialist, Grants & Contracts (CELS)

About the Role

The University of Rhode Island (URI) is seeking a Specialist, Grants & Contracts to join the College of Environment and Life Sciences (CELS). This position will work closely with Associate Deans, the Director, Research Faculty/Administrators, and Business Managers to coordinate research support operations and activities. The role is immediately eligible for a remote/hybrid work schedule and is full-time, calendar year, limited to 06/26/2027 with anticipated renewal.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to college faculty, staff, and departmental administrators in the execution of federal, state, and privately funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Support post-award activities, including compliance monitoring, payment processing, financial and project reporting, salary allocations, and cost share commitments.
• Offer budgetary guidance to researchers by interpreting sponsor and university announcements and guidelines.
• Prepare and monitor budgets and related administrative project components according to sponsoring entity guidelines and institutional policies.
• Coordinate with Principal Investigators (PIs) and external organizations on post-award documentation requests.
• Manage multiple externally funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to ensure compliance with university, sponsor, and federal policies.
• Maintain knowledge of federal rules and regulations governing research grants and contracts.
• Support Business Managers and PIs in monitoring awarded funds and ensuring adherence to federal and university guidelines.
• Liaise between department staff, affiliated research faculty, and Sponsored Projects for pre- and post-award activities.
• Monitor the establishment of new awards and sub-projects with correct budgets and documentation.
• Assist in preparing financial and progress reports.
• Prepare and maintain Excel spreadsheets for financial reporting and analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of two years of academic, finance, research, business, or public administration experience in a complex setting.
• Demonstrated experience with grant administration (pre- and post-award).
• Ability to interpret and communicate institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules, and regulations.
• Understanding of budgetary principles.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including enterprise software.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a complex research setting.
• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience using InfoEd and PeopleSoft software.
• Knowledge of NIH, NSF, and USDA program guidelines.

Skills

• Proficiency in word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
• Experience with grant preparation software (e.g., InfoEd) and Enterprise Resource Planning software (e.g., PeopleSoft).

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $50,000 - $55,000

Location: Kingston, RI

Application Deadline: 09/01/2026

Application Instructions: Submit a cover letter and resume as PDF documents through the online application system at https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16958.