Research Advancement Specialist II

Research Advancement Specialist

The Research Advancement Specialist supports the College of Education and Health Professions' Office of Research and Grant Administration by providing primarily pre-award support to faculty and staff, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating proposal development, preparing budgets, and facilitating proposal submissions. The position provides high-quality customer service throughout the proposal development process while contributing to research office initiatives, faculty development activities, and continuous process improvement to strengthen research administration services and enhance success in securing external funding.

The Research Advancement Specialist will:
1) Assist department faculty and outreach unit staff principal investigators (PIs) in identifying external funding opportunities and submitting competitive proposals.
2) Provide leadership in coordinating and reviewing all proposal elements (e.g., narratives, budgets, biosketches, and facilities) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness, including large and complex awards for soft-funded centers and outreach units Interface effectively with other college and university units (e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs, Division of Research and Innovation) to develop complete, accurate, and competitive proposals.
3) Ensure that proposals are correctly entered into electronic research administration system and sponsor portals.
4) Route proposals for institutional approvals in a timely manner and in compliance with university policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least two or more years of experience in research administration, grant administration, proposal development, sponsored programs, financial administration, and/or a related field
• At least two or more years of experience interpreting state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsor policies and procedures; coordinating multiple priorities; reviewing and editing technical, academic, and/or sponsored project documents; and providing high-quality customer service

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least one or more years in a position working in higher education
• At least three or more years of experience in pre-award research administration, including preparing grant proposals, developing proposal budgets, coordinating proposal submissions to federal, state, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsors, with experience supporting workforce development and/or training grant proposals.
• Experience working with state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsor
• Experience in proposal development and/or writing
• Certified Research Administrator certificate

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to develop proposal budgets
• Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines
• Ability to identify potential funding opportunities
• Ability to build collaborative relationships

$61,735 (Commensurate with education and experience)

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Stacy Stuart Assistant Dean for Research and Grant Administration sfstuart

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing.

A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability,…