SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

Portland State University

Position Title: SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Department: 400401 – SPA Sponsored Projects Office

Position Number: D93231

Classification

Title:

Fiscal Services

Rank: N – No Rank

Start Date: 08/17/2026

FTE: 1

Renewable: Yes

The Departmental Research Administrator (DRA) serves as a key operational and financial partner to faculty and research teams in the administration and stewardship of sponsored projects. The DRA supports post‑award management of a diverse portfolio of projects, helping investigators navigate sponsor requirements, manage project resources, and maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations. The role works closely with Principal Investigators, departmental personnel, Proposal Analysts, and other SPA colleagues to support award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, prior approval requests, and award closeout activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.

• Assist Principal Investigators with project implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, and closeout activities.
• Interpret and apply sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements to support financial or operational decision‑making.
• Coordinate multiple competing priorities and manage complex workflows with strong attention to detail.
• Communicate complex policies, financial concepts, or compliance requirements clearly to stakeholders of varying experience levels.
• Identify issues, analyze risks, and develop practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Collaborate across administrative or operational units to support shared processes or outcomes.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of federal regulations governing research (OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, sponsor policies).
• Utilize sponsored projects administration systems, enterprise financial systems, and electronic research administration platforms.

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, or other restricted funds in a higher‑education, research, healthcare, nonprofit, governmental, or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying sponsor, institutional, or regulatory requirements to support financial or operational decision‑making.
• Ability to coordinate multiple competing priorities and manage complex workflows with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate complex policies, financial concepts, or compliance requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience and expertise.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze risks, and develop practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Experience working collaboratively across administrative or operational units to support shared processes or outcomes.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies).
• Experience with sponsored projects administration systems, enterprise financial systems, or electronic research administration platforms.
• Knowledge of principles associated with sponsored projects administration, financial stewardship, and research compliance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel basic formulas and Word.

• Master’s Degree with 1+ year of related experience.
• Experience working in a higher‑education institution.
• Direct experience interpreting and applying regulations.
• Knowledge of government funding regulations, grant policies and procedures, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and sound research administration experience.
• Experience using the Banner Financial Information System.

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors,…