Grants Specialist , Post Award

Position Summary

The Grants Specialist in the Post‑Award Department is responsible for the financial and administrative management of externally funded research projects from award setup through closeout, ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations, university policies, and federal guidelines. The role provides expert guidance to faculty and research staff on financial reporting, budget monitoring, and expenditure control. It collaborates with principal investigators, departmental administrators, and funding agencies to facilitate timely invoicing, reconciliations, and audits, ensuring the effective stewardship of research funds.

The Specialist supports effort reporting, cost transfers, and project modifications, contributing to the university’s commitment to excellence in research administration.

Someone who actively seeks new knowledge, asks thoughtful questions, embraces challenges, and is inquisitive, adaptable, and proactive. The candidate demonstrates independent problem‑solving, continuous learning, resilience, and a positive attitude.

Hybrid – a combination of office and remote work. Schedule may change per Rice policy 440.

Salary: $56,560 - $70,599 annually. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience).
• One or more years of related experience.

• Strong verbal and written communication to correspond with faculty, administrators, and funding agencies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Organizational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to review and interpret complex regulations and sponsor requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel.

• Experience in research, clinical trial, or departmental administration.
• Experience with research administration systems such as Fed Connect, eRA Commons, PMS, Research.gov, Grants.gov, and eGMS.

• Grant Management – award setup, monitoring financial activity, interpreting and adhering to award terms and conditions, and cost principles.
• Grant Closeout – monitor end dates and provide feedback to stakeholders on account status and fund availability.
• Grant Reconciliation and Reporting – financial reports, labor and cost distributions, budgets, obligations, and ad‑hoc reporting.

• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, sponsor guidelines, Rice policies, and departmental procedures.
• Complete post‑award activities, coordinate, and process post‑award transactions.
• Collaborate effectively with the sponsored programs community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely to support the sponsored programs mission.
• Manage sponsored projects post‑award activities independently using critical thinking and problem solving.
• Serve as a post‑award resource on federal, industry, state, and non‑profit awards.
• Participate as a team member on selected projects.
• Engage in personal and professional growth through educational and professional strategies.
• Maintain accurate records of assigned sponsored program activities.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into its candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status, and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.