Associate Research Administrator

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Professional development classes

Central Los Angeles location

Job summary

University of Southern California (USC) seeks an Associate Research Administrator within the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Research Office. The role focuses on managing day-to-day contracts and grants administrative operations and supporting principal investigators across research projects.

The position emphasizes budgeting, reporting, policy guidance, and effective collaboration with internal offices to ensure compliant, timely award setup and cost-sharing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business-related field.
• Four years of contracts/grants administration experience.
• Educational administrative experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of procurement, sole sourcing, cost analyses and vendor requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare administrative components of proposals within research guidelines.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets.
• Review and approve expenditures.
• Act as liaison between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, groups and departments.
• Ensure awards are set up properly and cost-sharing is fulfilled.
• Develop and communicate reports supporting project status.
• Participate in contract closeout processes.
• Advise on university policies for projects.

Skills

Budget management

Proposal preparation

Expenditure review

Interdepartmental liaison

Report development

Contract closeout

Policy compliance

Project management

Communication skills

Confidentiality handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Excel

SPSS

SunGard

Job description

It is an exciting time at USC. We are world-renowned for our innovative education, academic excellence and path-breaking research in a vibrant region exploding with potential. As part of a university that is on an upward trajectory, excellent development and advancement opportunities are possible here. Ultimately, you will support the university's expansive, humanity-centered mission: "The development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit."

The Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Research Office is seeking an Associate Research Administrator to join its team and support the department in managing its day-to-day contracts and grants administrative operations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Participate with principal investigator in the preparation of the administrative components of proposals within the parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets.
• Review and approve expenditures.
• Serve as primary liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments.
• Collaborate with Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and cost-sharing requirements are fulfilled.
• Develop and communicate reports supporting project status.
• Participate in contract closeout process.
• Understand, apply, and advise on university and government policies for projects.
• Serve as a resource on subject area and overall technical resource to principal investigator and other university staff.
• Contribute to process improvements.
• Provide mentoring and cross‑training as necessary.
• Create and analyze statistical reports.
• Utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records, and generate reports.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, financial and accounting acumen, and the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Use the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and other internet applications.
• Have broad knowledge of research computer software such as Microsoft Access, Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard.
• Show competency in project management.
• Maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information, including student, staff, and faculty files.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business (Accounting/Finance preferred) or equivalent experience/education.
• Four years of experience, including contracts/grants administration.
• Educational administrative experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of procurement needs, sole sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
• Ability to review a proposal or manage a project with an understanding of the overall scope and goals.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Three years of experience in a related field.
• Basic knowledge of governmental regulations, strong accounting skills, and competence in project management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard.
• Experience creating and analyzing statistical reports.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

USC offers comprehensive benefits, including health benefits for staff and families, eligibility for retirement plans after six months, tuition benefits, free professional development classes, convenient central Los Angeles location, and discounts to campus events.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.