SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Position Announcement

Position Details:
Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026 Classification Title Fiscal Services Rank N
- No Rank Working Title SPA Departmental Research Administrator Department 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office Position Number D93231 Representation AU - AAUP Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1 Tenure Status N - not applicable

Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands‑on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree‑lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state‑of‑the‑art science labs. We are proud of our world‑class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

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. As part of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the DRA supports the post-award management of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects, helping investigators navigate sponsor requirements, manage project resources effectively, and maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations.

The DRA 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. This role helps ensure that sponsored projects remain financially sustainable, operationally effective, and aligned with sponsor and institutional requirements as project needs evolve over time.

The DRA may also provide operational or post-award perspective during proposal budgeting and implementation planning to support effective project transitions and long‑term award management.

Successful DRAs combine strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, identify potential risks or issues, and provide practical guidance in a dynamic research environment. The position requires independent judgment, collaborative problem solving, attention to detail, and a service‑oriented approach to supporting research and scholarly activity.

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 in support of financial or operational decision‑making Demonstrated 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
• Demonstrated 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…