Research Administrator ; Remote Eligible

Job Description

Note:

This position has been deemed critical by the School of Engineering Dean's Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

The School of Engineering (SoE) – Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk‑takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business.

Our staff are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems.

Are you ready for the next step in your research administration career? If you have three years of research administration experience, this role may be perfect for you. On behalf of eight SoE academic departments, the Engineering Research Administration (ERA) administers over 700 annual awards and $175 million in annual sponsored research. ERA is a high‑volume and productive administrative unit, and the ERA staff collectively manage the pre‑ and post‑award activities for a large and diverse portfolio of sponsoring agencies (over 230 different agencies).

ERA is looking for a Research Administrator (RA) who will provide a full range of administrative, financial and other tasks associated with pre‑ and post‑award sponsored research activities and services, including proposal preparation and post‑award management of funds and budgets. The RA will manage the proposal preparation and post‑award activities on routine sponsored projects such as federal grants, foundation grants, and industrial contracts.

This position is eligible for remote work. The RA has an option to be remote, hybrid, or entirely in the office. The RA will be asked to attend certain in‑person work events during the year regardless of remote status.

• Participate with principal investigator in the preparation of the administrative components of proposals within parameters of sponsored research guidelines. Oversee and communicate submission process, both paper and electronic, review documents for completeness and compliance.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets, and provide budget justification.
• Serve as liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and cost‑sharing requirements are fulfilled, initiate cost transfers.
• Review and approve expenditures, advise on post award spending and commitment activity, and oversee compliance related to fund and revenue.
• Develop and communicate reports supporting project status; create effective forecasting and decision aides.
• Participate in award closeout process; submit final reports and certificates. Compile information and documents needed for audit inquiries.
• Understand, apply, and advise on university and government policies for projects.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and overall technical resource to principal investigator and other university staff.
• Participate in and contribute to process improvements. Lead other staff in group projects.
• May participate as a mentor and provide cross‑training as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.