Senior Research Administrator

Basic Information

Job : 52702
Location: Chicago, Illinois

A Senior Research Administrator for the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of the unit's research programs and mission. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of a P30 center grant and associated non-sponsored accounts. Assists in strategic plans by providing guidance and counsel regarding grant administration which includes attending internal and external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, and resolving reporting and/or expense problems.

Reviews associated policy and procedures and recommends changes to increase productivity and effectiveness. The CFAR is housed in the Impact Institute, and the Senior Research Administrator will be embedded in the Department of Medical Social Sciences Research Administration team. The role is focused on post-award administration including approvals of procurement and expense reports, award management, budget preparation, compliance, effort reporting, fiscal management, and financial reporting and projections.

Please note:

Supervisor provides overall objectives & in consultation with EE develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.

EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. EE interprets policy.

• Typically administers multiple research projects such as:
  • Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
  • Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit
  • NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
  • Center or program grants
  • Proposals with cost sharing
• Pre-Award Administration:
  • Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.
  • Coordinates proposal submission.
  • Coordinates budget and justification preparation.
  • Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.
  • Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.
  • Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.
• Post-Award Administration:
  • Coordinates post-award activities.
  • Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio.
  • Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.
  • Manages day-to-day financial functions.
  • Completes expenditure reviews.
  • Reconciles monthly payroll entries.
  • Verifies & processes cost share entries.
  • Identifies program income issues.
  • Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.
  • Prepares interim & final financial reports.
  • Facilitates account close out activities.
  • Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.
• Financial Oversight:
  • Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.
  • Reviews transactions and resolves issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.
  • Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.
• Human Resources:
  • Provides research administration training.
  • Develops staff.
  • Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
• Compliance:
  • Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
  • Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.
  • Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.
• Miscellaneous:
  Performs other duties as assigned.

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or…