Associate Research Administrator

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern University’s Chemistry of Life Processes Institute seeks an Associate Research Administrator to provide administrative support for research programs, budgeting, proposals, and post-award activities in a high‑growth environment.

The role covers pre- and post-award tasks, including proposal submissions, budget preparation, and compliance, with opportunities for professional development and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year financial or administrative support experience in a research environment or other relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Typically administers entire research projects such as: Single Principal Investigator (PI) basic proposals, grants & contracts.
• May assist with components of multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants & contracts.
• NIH RO1-approximately $250K/yr. over 5 yrs.
• NIH R21-approximately $150K/yr. over 2 yrs.
• Foundation grants
• NSF grants
• Fellowships
• Pre-Award administration of grant & contract activities.
• Reviews solicitation & determines necessary components.
• Organizes proposal, renewal and resubmission applications.
• Post-Award administration of research grants & contracts.
• Reviews account establishment and expenditures.
• Tracks re-budgeting and accounts.
• Provides data for interim/final reports.

Skills

Organization

Time management

Detail-oriented

Multi-tasking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

NUFinancials

Cognos

CERES

Job description

Department: PCE - Proteomics Ctr of Exc

Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP) Institute at Northwestern is revolutionizing precision medicine by unraveling the secrets of human proteins-key drivers of health and disease. Proteins are the workhorses of the cell and their malfunction often initiates disorders like cancer and Alzheimer's. Yet, most of the complex forms of proteins in our bodies remain unexplored because they are extraordinarily difficult to detect and characterize. CLP is a nexus for protein-informed drug and diagnostic development where researchers and clinicians work together to crack the mystery of proteins for the benefit of all,

The Associate Research Administrator provides administrative assistance and routine problem solving in support of unit's research programs and mission. Assistance may include the preparation &/or submission of routine research proposals, grants &/or contracts according to standard practice &/or general instruction. May assist with &/or complete proposal submissions, prepare information used in grant budgets, process and project financial transactions, &/or effort reporting activities.

Please note:

Supervisor provides objectives, deadlines & specific instructions only for new, difficult, &/or unusual work. Work is reviewed upon completion & only occasionally to verify technical accuracy & compliance with practice, policy, & procedures. EE informs supervisor of on-going progress &/or potentially controversial matters.

EE uses an advanced knowledge of skills, methods & practices & some innovation, analysis, & reasoning to choose appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies & procedures to complete work that includes successive steps & involves some non-routine problems &/or decisions.

• As time and budget allows:
• New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• Need more "How To:" sessions such as:
  • Fill out internal & external paperwork
  • Create & review budget
  • Review sponsor guidelines
  • Read a solicitation
• Five University Business Processes classes (HR700, HR705, HR715, HR725, HR740)New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
• NU-ORI-Res Dam Training session
• SCS course: Grantsmanship for the Research Professional
• ASRSP effort reporting 101
• NU Financials budget reconciliation and reporting
• Audit & Advisory best practices

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers entire research projects such as:
  • Single Principal Investigator (PI) basic proposals, grants &/or contracts
  • May assist with components of multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
  • NIH RO1-approximately $250K/yr. over 5 yrs.
  • NIH R21-approximately $150K/yr. over 2 yrs.
  • Foundation grants
  • NSF grants
  • Fellowships

Pre-Award

• Completes pre-award administration of grant &/or contract activities.
• Reviews solicitation & determines necessary components.
• Organizes proposal, renewal and resubmission applications.
• Completes NU OSR forms.
• Completes entire application for smaller, less-complicated, simple, standard proposals.

Post-Award

• Completes post-award administration of research grants &/or contracts.
• Reviews account establishment.
• Reviews expenditures.
• Tracks formal re-budgeting.
• Coordinates core resource account setup and maintenance.
• Provides data needed for the preparation of interim and final financial and technical progress reports.
• Participates in account close out activities.
• Monitors project under spending and overspending.
• Communicates with PI, other unit and project personnel, OSR, ASRSP and/or sponsor accordingly.

Financial

• Reconciles standard budget & payroll information ensuring that appropriate sponsored accounts are charged.
• Prepares and coordinates signatures on 90 day letters required when transactions are not timely.

Compliance

• Resolves standard & routine compliance problems & issues involving associated NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Becomes familiar with regulations involving research safety, animal subjects and human subjects.
• Alerts supervisor to potential higher risk compliance issues including research safety, animal subjects and human subjects.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year financial or administrative support experience in a research environment or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of administrative support for a research group

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience with Microsoft suite, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook
• Knowledge of how to update and maintain websites
• Experience with NUFinancials, Cognos and CERES
• Experience with updating biosketches and other support

Target hiring range for this position will be between $62,000-$72,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parentalleave;tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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