Grant Specialist Sr

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work

Job summary

University of Kentucky is seeking a Pre-Award Grant Specialist Senior for a fully remote position. The role supports proposal development, budget preparation, and internal approvals across sponsor systems. The specialist maintains current knowledge of grant policies and delivers excellent customer service with timely follow-up.

The department emphasizes flexible remote options, potential hybrid opportunities near Lexington, KY, and a focus on advancing research administration across campuses.

Qualifications

• Experience with federal grant and academic research regulations is preferred.
• Strong data entry and data management skills for proposal systems is preferred.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and timely follow-up related to grant pre-award duties is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support sponsored project proposal development including budget preparation.
• Facilitate internal approvals for proposal submissions.
• Enter and analyze data within sponsor and university proposal systems.
• Stay current on sponsored project policy and university rules and regulations.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Teams

Tools

SAP

NIH eRA Commons

Job description

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Sitting for long periods of time; repetitive motion related to computer work

Shift

Fully remote position
Monday – Friday 8:00 am EST – 5:00 pm EST ; additional hours especially during peak deadline times

Job Summary

Shape the Future of Research Administration at the University of Kentucky

Why Join Us?
The University of Kentucky’s Collaborative Grant Services ( CGS ) department is seeking a dedicated and skilled Pre-Award Grant Specialist Senior. This vital role supports and enables groundbreaking research across the University.

About the Role:
With employees in the department currently working across the U.S. and from both coasts, this is a great remote work opportunity. For those near Lexington, KY, hybrid work may also be available.

As a Pre-Award Grant Specialist Senior, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, support of sponsored project proposal development including budget preparation, facilitation of internal approvals for proposal submissions, and contributing regular support through entry and analysis of data within various sponsor and university proposal-related systems. Additional responsibilities will be remaining current and knowledgeable on sponsored project policy and related university rules and regulations. The Pre-Award Grant Specialist Senior will also be responsible for providing exceptional customer service through timely response and follow-up related to these duties. All responsibilities will be completed with an advanced level of understanding for all grant pre-award processes.

Why Research Professionals Choose University of Kentucky

• Top 10% of Academic Medical Centers Nationwide: Recognized as a leader in research excellence and innovation.
• Forbes’ Best Large Employers: Ranked among the Top 100 Employers Nationwide in 2024 and named one of Kentucky’s Best Employers on Forbes’ America’s Best-In-State Employers list.
• 1 of 34 Universities Nationwide: Holds the prestigious trifecta of research designations in cancer, aging, and translational science.
• Flexible Remote Work Options: Enjoy the convenience of fully remote or hybrid roles while supporting groundbreaking research.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, virtual conferences, and training programs to advance your career.

Want to learn more about the Department?
Over the last decade, UK has nearly doubled its total awards for sponsored research, and in the past 5 years, sponsored research has grown more than 40%. In response to this, the Collaborative Grant Services ( CGS ) department was created to handle the business of research, so investigators can focus on the research. This is done by focusing on the people, processes, and technology involved with grants administration. More information about the department can be found at: https://research.uky.edu/sponsored-project-services/about/ CGS .

Interested in what UK Benefits have to offer?
The University of Kentucky is proud to offer a benefits package that helps us recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. In addition to your take-home pay, your benefits package is a major component of your total compensation at UK. These benefits include our 200 percent match on eligible retirement contributions; competitive health, dental, and vision coverage; tuition benefits for classes at UK, and much more. To learn more about these exceptional benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/exceptional-benefits-for-university-of-kentucky-staff .

Ready to Make a Difference in Research Administration?
Are you ready to take the next step in advancing research and innovation? Join us in UK’s Collaborative Grant Services department as the next dedicated Pre-Award Grant Specialist Senior and play a pivotal role in supporting groundbreaking projects that shape the future.

The University of Kentucky uses equivalencies in determining if a potential applicant meets the minimum education and experience. Related experience can be substituted for education. Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies .

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Working knowledge of federal grant and academic institution sponsored research regulations preferred.
Working knowledge of SAP preferred.
Working knowledge of NIH eRA Commons preferred.
Certified Research Administrator ( CRA ) preferred.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/16/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate the number of years of paid work experience in which you were responsible for ensuring compliance with grant related policies and regulations.
  • None
  • More than 0, less than 1
  • More than 1, less than 3
  • More than 3, less than 5
  • More than 5, less than 7
  • More than 7 years
• * Describe your experience with preparing and/or managing complex grant budgets, including the most challenging issue you've resolved. (Open Ended Question)
• * Provide an example that demonstrates your ability to successfully develop and maintain productive relationships with other (customers and co-workers). (Open Ended Question)
• * Describe your ability to handle a large, varied and complex workload, including how you address challenges related to balancing attention to detail with working efficiently. (Open Ended Question)
• * Please indicate the number of years of paid experience you have with pre-award submission and preparation of grants.
  • None
  • More than 0, less than 1
  • More than 1, less than 3
  • More than 3, less than 5
  • More than 5, less than 7
  • More than 7 years

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter