Open Rank: Research Services

University of Colorado

Aurora (CO)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 75,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Retirement 401(a)

Paid Time Off

Sick and holiday leave

Job summary

The University of Colorado Anschutz is seeking an Open Rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior) to provide high‑level post‑award grants administration, including contracts, compliance, financial forecasting, and sponsor communications. This role partners with department leadership to translate research goals into well‑managed sponsored projects.

The position is onsite in Aurora, CO, with a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth across levels from entry to senior.

Qualifications

Minimum: bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or related field.

Responsibilities

Activate grant accounts and manage post‑award activities.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Grants management

Financial forecasting

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance

Tools

PeopleSoft Finance

InfoEd

NIH eRA Commons

xTrain

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Department: Physiology & Biophysics

Job Title: Open Rank: Research Services Professional (Entry-Senior)

Position #00849678 – Requisition #:40863

Job Summary

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Physiology & Biophysics

Job Title: Open Rank: Research Services Professional (Entry-Senior)

Position #00849678 – Requisition #:40863

Job Summary

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is a research-intensive department within the CU School of Medicine, home to 20 faculty investigators and an active portfolio of federally and privately funded research. We are seeking to hire an open-rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior level) to provide high-level research administration support to the department. This position manages contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication, and post-award financial management, including human subject and research animal compliance oversight. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the Department Chair, and department faculty — serving as a trusted financial partner who helps faculty translate their research goals into well-managed, compliant, and efficiently run sponsored projects.

Key Responsibilities

Activate Grant Accounts
Contract and Subcontract Administration
Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions for appropriateness
Provide monthly financial projections to PIs and the Director of Finance and Administration on all sponsored programs and start-up accounts
Process grant account close-outs

Work Location

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado.

Why Join Us

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

Medical: Multiple plan options
Dental: Multiple plan options
Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
Holiday Days: 15/year
Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Entry level

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.

Intermediate level

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
One (1) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Senior level

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
Two years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related area
Demonstrated experience with post‑award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.
Demonstrated experience managing federal sponsored awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD), including knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor‑specific policies.
Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including independent use of formulas, pivot tables, and complex spreadsheets for financial analysis and reporting.
Experience working independently in a compliance‑driven environment requiring judgment, accuracy, and accountability.
Experience working in an academic, medical, or research institution
Advanced experience with post‑award financial analysis, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost transfers, and compliance monitoring.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide guidance to faculty and leadership on post‑award matters.
Experience with PeopleSoft Finance, InfoEd or other grants management system
Experience with NIH eRA Commons, and xTrain
Experience with financial report management system

For Senior Professionals

Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Ability to manage, analyze, and forecast complex sponsored project finances using Microsoft Excel
Outstanding customer service skills.
Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and the ability to create and maintain complex financial spreadsheets for grants management and forecasting.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Questions should be directed to: Avery Williamson, Avery.Williamson@cuanschutz.edu

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as: