Research Administrator 1-2 CX
Job Family: Research Administration
Job Function: Contracts and Grants
Job Category: Represented
Job Summary: Involves providing analytical, financial and training activities in support of contract and grant proposal development, grant-writing, funding, administration, and budget development. Activities may include pre-award proposal initiatives, management of funds post-award, and closeout activities for federal, state, local and private sponsors. Involves activities associated with analyzing research funding trends and sources, forecasting, planning, and managing of research portfolios by performing some or all of the following: coordinating and identifying and developing and / or presenting proposals, contracts and other agreements; reviewing proposals to ensure institutional compliance and program success; negotiating, administering and monitoring contract and grant awards, including compliance with regulations, terms and conditions; financial management and reporting; and sub award / subcontract issuance and administration.
| Job Title | Research Administrator 1 CX | Research Administrator 2 CX |
|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 4485 | 4486 |
| Bargaining Unit | CX | CX |
| FLSA | Non-Exempt | Non-Exempt |
| Generic Scope | Entry-level professional with limited prior experience; learns to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity; works on assignments that are initially routine in nature, requiring limited judgment and decision making. Employees at this level are expected to acquire the skills and knowledge to perform more advanced work following an agreed upon time in position, through defined training and development planning. | Professional who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments / projects / tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. |
| Custom Scope | Develops and / or oversees research proposals, awards, and / or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Follows institutional procedures and practices when analyzing or reviewing financial information or reports. This title is bargaining unit only. There should never be an uncovered position. | Under general supervision, develops and / or oversees research proposals, awards and / or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. Works on proposals of moderate scope such as single investigator NSF proposals where analysis of financial information or reports requires review of a variety of factors (e.g. budgets, salaries, expenses, etc.). Receives assignments on project basis and fully analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions. May be eligible for delegated signature authority. Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official. This title is bargaining unit only. There should never be an uncovered position. |
| Key Responsibilities | Department Role (DR): Under supervision, administers and / or develops grant proposals, applications, and support documents in conjunction with PI. (DR): Under direct supervision, provides post-award financial administration and management for research funds. Assists in preparation of routine proposal budgets and support documents that are required by proposal guidelines. (DR): Analyzes expenses, develops cost projections, and assists with financial tracking and control. (DR): Interprets regulations and guidelines and prepares periodic reports. Central Role (CR): Under direct supervision, supports other analysts in negotiation of terms and conditions of research agreements and awards from various sponsors. (CR): Processes research proposals, awards and transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. (CR): Establishes contract and grant fund accounts with approval of other analysts or Director. (CR): Under direct supervision, administratively reviews grant or contract proposals and budgets, obtains / verifies necessary compliance approvals, and recommends / negotiates needed changes to proposals with PIs and / or department administrators. | Department Role (DR): Under general supervision, organizes, plans, establishes and monitors fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, gifts, endowments, and privately funded projects for faculty research programs. (DR): Analyzes transactions, expenditures, identifies and resolves discrepancies, financial and inventory reports. Prepares proposal budgets and support documents that are required by proposal guidelines. Develops and / or oversees non-competing continuations, supplements and other award / agreement amendments. (DR): Applies professional concepts to provide projections, analyze spending and recommend adjustments. (DR): Under general supervision, provides post-award financial administration and management for research funds in accordance with organization policy and agency requirements. (DR): Advises department administrators on compliance regulations. (DR): Assists in support of audit as directed by senior staff. Central Role (CR): Under general supervision, works with other analysts in negotiation of terms and conditions of research agreements and awards from various sponsors. (CR): Develops professional relationships with sponsor representatives to help identify funding opportunities for researchers. (CR): Under general supervision, provides advice and counsel regarding sponsored projects administration to department administrators and PIs. Supports grant writing and proposal development initiatives to improve funding success. (CR): In compliance with institutional and sponsor policies, establishes mandated recordkeeping. (CR): Applies professional concepts to authorize establishment of contract and grant fund accounts with approval of other analysts or director. |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. | Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. |
| Knowledge, Skills and Abilities | Ability to learn and develop understanding of applicable federal, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines. Ability to learn and develop understanding of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. Ability to thrive in a busy, high-volume, and deadline driven work environment that requires coordination of multiple activities and the judgment and flexibility to reprioritize to accommodate emergency requests. Detail oriented. Ability to perform routine financial analysis and reporting. Proficiency working with computer and information management systems. Organization and communication skills and customer service focus. | Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines. Knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. Ability to manage a high volume of transactions. Ability to perform moderately complex financial analysis and customized reporting. Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization; communication skills; and a customer service focus. Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration. Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles. Knowledge of grant funding processes, procedures and techniques. Writing skills to draft persuasive text for variety of audiences. |
| Environment | Campus, medical center or other university setting and various external venues. | Campus, medical center or other university setting and various external venues. |
| Career Path | Research Administrator 2 CX Research Administration > Research Compliance > Professional | Research Administrator 3 Research Administration > Research Compliance > Professional |