Research Administrator

Job Overview

Posting Number: PG194732EP

Working Title: Sponsored Research Administrator

Internal Recruitment: Yes

Anticipated Hiring Range: $65,000 - $73,525 (Commensurate with education and experience)

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; position may be eligible for a flexible work schedule. Adjustments to the schedule are occasionally required to accommodate rigid sponsor proposal deadlines.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Engineering Research Administration

The College of Engineering (COE) Office of Research Administration (ORA) operates under a college-managed, departmentally embedded operating model designed to deliver standardized, high-quality administrative infrastructure and regulatory safeguarding for the College’s extensive, multi-million dollar sponsored research portfolio. The ORA model merges centralized oversight with agile local integration, serving as strategic partners to principal investigators, faculty, and departmental leadership with cradle-to-grave support tailored to each unit.

The network manages over 1,100 research proposals and administers more than 800 new awards, continuations, and supplements annually. Operating as a high-volume, deadline-driven organization, the unit mitigates financial, legal, and reputational risks while optimizing NC State’s competitive edge in securing external funding.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Childcare benefits
• Wellness & Recreation Membership
• Wellness Programs
• And so much more!

Pre-Award Portfolio Management & Proposal Development

• Localized Faculty Consultation:
  Partner directly with PIs to develop accurate, compliant proposal budgets and detailed justifications from initial concept through final submission.
• Standardized Regulatory Screening:
  Analyze complex agency Requests for Proposals and Funding Opportunity Announcements to ensure alignment with F&A rules, cost‑sharing restrictions, budget caps, and direct cost allowability.
• Institutional System Management:
  Fully execute and route records within institutional software suites, including RED Proposal Development, ensuring data integrity before final central routing.
• Electronic Research Administration:
  Build, format, and package proposal submissions within sponsor portals such as Research.gov, GRANTS.gov, eRA Commons, and ASSIST.

Post‑Award Financial Management, Forecasting & Closeout

• Award Onboarding & Budget Translation:
  Review incoming award notices with the PI to establish accurate internal ledger setups.
• Compliance Monitoring & Risk Mitigation:
  Perform continuous financial analysis of active grant ledgers, monitoring expenditures for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with CAS, Uniform Guidance, state rules, and university policies.
• Projections & Planning Models:
  Build multi‑year spending projections and variance analysis models for faculty to optimize fund utilization.
• Reconciliations & Cost‑Share Tracking:
  Audit human resource expenditures, travel vouchers, and procurement charges against grant terms, tracking committed cost‑sharing obligations.
• Lifecycle Closeouts:
  Execute comprehensive closeouts for expiring grant segments, prepare and process Project Modification Requests, no‑cost extensions, or residual balance distributions, ensuring audit‑ready documentation is archived.

Model Alignment, Cross‑Coverage & Leadership

• Matrixed Team
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Participate in the College ORA network to align with university‑wide research administration standards while balancing central policy and local workflow.
• Cross‑College Workload Balancing:
  Provide temporary pre‑ or post‑award coverage for other COE departments during peak submission cycles or staff absences.
• Faculty Onboarding & Training:
  Develop and deliver resources, onboarding guides, or info‑sessions for new faculty and departmental business officers regarding ORA standard operating procedures and financial management tools.

This position is open for current NC State Employees only, permanent or…