Associate Research Administrator/Research Administrator - Pre-Award, School of Medicine

Intl. Parking Inst; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an Associate Research Administrator to join their dynamic team in the School of Medicine. This role offers a unique opportunity to provide essential pre-award administrative support to researchers, ensuring successful proposal submissions for medical research funding. Ideal candidates will possess a solid background in research administration and have a passion for contributing to impactful projects. Enjoy the flexibility of remote work, occasional in-person training, and a comprehensive benefits package that supports your professional growth and well-being. If you're ready to elevate your career in research administration, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Paid Annual Leave

Generous Tuition Benefit

Retirement Planning Options

Employee Discounts

Career Development Opportunities

Sign-On Bonus

Qualifications

• 2+ years of pre-award research administration experience required.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide pre-award administrative support for research proposals.
• Manage proposal development processes and timelines.

Skills

Research Administration

Budget Development

Customer Service

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Time Management

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Adobe

Job description

Associate Research Administrator/Research Administrator - Pre-Award, School of Medicine

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Job Code: 34124N - 34213N

Recruitment Pool: All Applicants

Posting Number: req7035

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Office of Research Administration, School of Medicine

Location: VCU, 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

As a member of the School of Medicine (SOM) Research Administration team, the selected candidate will be responsible for providing direct pre-award administrative support to investigators conducting medical research in various departments and centers at VCU. The selected candidate will assist researchers and study teams in the development and successful submission of proposals for research funding. This position provides an opportunity for candidates with pre-award research administration experience to grow those skills in a fast-paced, diverse environment. The position will also present opportunities for career growth in the field of research administration for those willing to work collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty and staff across all School of Medicine departments.

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Candidates living outside the Richmond metro region are encouraged to apply, but may be required to come on-site occasionally (no more than twice annually) for in-service training and professional development activities. The selected candidate will also be eligible to receive a one-time sign-on bonus.

Duties

Pre-Award Research Administration – 80%

1. Work under the direction of your supervisor and SOM Office of Research Administration leadership to provide pre-award research administration support specific to the needs of SOM departments/centers and faculty investigators. Work directly with investigators on assigned proposal submissions to ensure proposals meet technical, administrative, and financial requirements, deadlines are met, and all SOM Research Administration Standard Operating Procedures and established policies/requirements of both VCU and sponsoring agencies are followed.
2. Manage the proposal development process and establish necessary timelines with the investigators to ensure deadlines are met for all submissions assigned.
3. Pre-award duties could include:
1. Follow all SOMRA SOPs related to pre-award submissions.
2. Create a management plan and communicate clearly with the Principal Investigators on submission requirements and assignments, ensuring roles, responsibilities, and timelines are clear for each proposal assigned.
3. Prepare non-technical components of submissions seeking PI input where needed: budget, budget narrative, coordinating administrative requirements for sub recipients, preparing RAMS-SPOT submissions, completing sponsor forms, etc.
4. Ensure conformance of each submission with sponsor requirements and VCU policy.
5. Prepare cost share authorizations and advance index requests, seeking department approvals as needed.
6. Facilitate completion of compliance and training requirements with the PI.

Creation, Formatting, and Maintenance of Other Support Documents – 20%

1. Maintain Other Support and Previous/Current/Pending Support documents for faculty participating in NIH and Department of Defense funded research.
2. Create and format Other Support and Previous/Current/Pending Support documents for faculty as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Hiring Standards

1. Candidates must possess a minimum of 2 years of direct research administration experience in the area of pre-award proposal development.
2. Candidates with 3 or more years of direct pre-award research administration experience may be considered for Research Administrator slotting.
3. Must have skills or ability to acquire new skills in the following areas: review of and adherence to sponsor proposal guidelines; budget development; ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms; pro-actively ask questions and seek guidance when needed.
4. Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. Strong problem-solving and time management skills are essential, including the ability to adapt to frequent changes in work assignments, prioritize, and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
5. Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision. Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe required. Ability to work in a diverse environment required.
6. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards

1. Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree strongly preferred.
2. Candidates possessing 3-5 years of direct pre-award research experience are preferred.
3. Prior pre-award research administration experience in an academic medical center or other organization with a significant NIH grant portfolio will be preferred.

FLSA: University Employee

Job FTE: 1.0

Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

E-Class: UF - University Employee FT

Job Category: University Employee

ORP Eligible: No

Salary Range: commensurate with experience up to $68,000

Compensation Type: Salaried

Target Hire Date: 3/25/2025

Contact Information for Candidates

Shelvey Smith
[e-mail]
804-628-4191

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume