Open Rank: Research Services

cu; Aurora; On-site; PHP 3,149,000 - 4,712,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision plans

Retirement 401(a) plan

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition benefit

ECO Pass

Job summary

University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, CO, seeks an Open Rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior) to manage contracts and grants, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide financial oversight for sponsored projects.

Responsibilities include activating grant accounts, reconciling accounts, and delivering monthly projections, with on-site work in Aurora. Strong Excel and communications skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or closely related field.
• Three to five years (senior) / two years (intermediate) of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, or related area.
• Demonstrated experience with post‑award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.

Responsibilities

• Activate Grant Accounts.
• Contract and Subcontract Administration.
• Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts monthly; review transactions for appropriateness.
• Provide monthly financial projections to PIs and the Director of Finance and Administration for all sponsored programs and start-up accounts.
• Process grant account close-outs.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Financial forecasting

Customer service

Leadership

Excel expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft Finance

InfoEd

NIH eRA Commons

xTrain

Financial reporting system

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Physiology & Biophysics

Job Title: Open Rank: Research Services Professional (Entry-Senior)

Position #00849678 – Requisition #:40863

Job Summary:

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is a research-intensive department within the CU School of Medicine, home to 20 faculty investigators and an active portfolio of federally and privately funded research. We are seeking to hire an open-rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior level) to provide high-level research administration support to the department. This position manages contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication, and post-award financial management, including human subject and research animal compliance oversight. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the Department Chair, and department faculty — serving as a trusted financial partner who helps faculty translate their research goals into well-managed, compliant, and efficiently run sponsored projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Activate Grant Accounts
• Contract and Subcontract Administration
• Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions for appropriateness
• Provide monthly financial projections to PIs and the Director of Finance and Administration on all sponsored programs and start-up accounts
• Process grant account close-outs

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado.

Why Join Us:

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is a research-intensive department within the CU School of Medicine, home to 20 faculty investigators and an active portfolio of federally and privately funded research. We are seeking to hire an open-rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior level) to provide high-level research administration support to the department. This position manages contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication, and post-award financial management, including human subject and research animal compliance oversight. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the Department Chair, and department faculty — serving as a trusted financial partner who helps faculty translate their research goals into well-managed, compliant, and efficiently run sponsored projects.

Why work for the University?

We haveAMAZINGbenefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry level

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.

Intermediate level

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
• One (1) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Senior level

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Two years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related area
• Demonstrated experience with post‑award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.
• Demonstrated experience managing federal sponsored awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD), including knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor‑specific policies.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including independent use of formulas, pivot tables, and complex spreadsheets for financial analysis and reporting.
• Experience working independently in a compliance‑driven environment requiring judgment, accuracy, and accountability.
• Experience working in an academic, medical, or research institution
• Advanced experience with post‑-award financial analysis, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost transfers, and compliance monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide guidance to faculty and leadership on post‑-award matters.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Finance, InfoEd or other grants management system
• Experience with NIH eRA Commons, and xTrain
• Experience with financial report management system

For Senior Professionals

• Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Ability to manage, analyze, and forecast complex sponsored project finances using Microsoft Excel
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and the ability to create and maintain complex financial spreadsheets for grants management and forecasting.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by September 14th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:

• Entry: $50,160-$63,804
• Intermediate: $54,586-$69,433
• Senior: $59,012-$75,063

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.