Assistant Research Administrator

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition benefits

Professional development onlineCourses

Los Angeles location access to transit

Campus event discounts

Job summary

University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine seeks an experienced Assistant Research Administrator to support the Office of Research Administration and USC research communities. The role covers proposal preparation, budgeting, award setup, and reporting.

You will collaborate with internal offices, review expenditures, forecast needs, and ensure compliance with sponsor and university requirements. A teamwork-focused environment and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 1+ year of experience with sponsored research, NIH preferred.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office.
• Enjoys teamwork and team building.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under deadlines and balance priorities.
• Experience in academic/university or research settings.

Responsibilities

• Prepares complex proposals within sponsored/research guidelines.
• Develops, revises, and finalizes project budgets with justification.
• Collaborates with Sponsored Research Offices to set up awards.
• Reviews grant expenditures and reports on project status.
• Creates forecasting and decision aids.
• Manages contract closeout and audits inquiries.
• Acts as a Research Administration SME.
• Interprets university and government policies.
• Implements process improvements.
• May negotiate with sponsors on application issues.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Excel

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Access

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

SPSS

Visio

SunGard

Job description

Assistant Research Administrator

Exciting Career Opportunity! The Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of USC is seeking an experienced Assistant Research Administrator to join the KSOM Office of Research Administration serving the research community of the Keck School of Medicine.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Prepares complex proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Develops, prepares, revises, and finalizes project budgets, and provides budget justification.
• Collaborates with the Sponsored Research Offices to ensure awards are set up properly, including cost‑sharing requirements.
• Reviews grant expenditures.
• Develops and communicates reports supporting project status.
• Creates effective forecasting and decision aids.
• Manages contract closeout process and audits inquiries.
• Serves as a Research Administration subject matter expert.
• Interprets complex University and government policies.
• Identifies and implements process improvements.
• May negotiate and communicate with federal and state sponsors, industry sponsors, other institutions, and/or University schools or divisions in regard to application issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• One or more years of experience with sponsored research, NIH preferred
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office
• Enjoys teamwork and team building
• Excels at professional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment and balance competing priorities
• Previous work experience in an academic/university and/or research setting

Salary

The hourly rate range for this position is between $36.94 – 47.00.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Benefits

• Health benefits for staff members & family with access to the renowned university medical network
• Eligibility for retirement plans
• Tuition benefits for staff members & family
• Free professional development online courses
• Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services
• Discounts to football, basketball & other campus events

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter and CV/Resume

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience: 1 Year

Minimum Field of Expertise: A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with broad knowledge of relevant research computer software, e.g.: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard. Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports. Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports. Proven oral and written communication skills to interact with other employees.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Employment Equity

Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility