Pre Award Research Administrator

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a Pre Award Research Administrator to support the Office of Research Development Services within the College of Engineering. The role focuses on pre-award submission, budget development, compliance, and coordinating proposals for a high-volume program.

The position requires strong communication, analytical skills, and experience with federal and non-federal funding mechanisms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated pre-award financial management experience.
• Familiarity with all award mechanisms: grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge of program administration guidelines for federal and non-federal funding.
• Ability to understand and apply university policies and grant regulations.
• Ability to plan ahead and manage multiple submissions under deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Intermediate Excel and Word; willingness to learn new technology.

Responsibilities

• Manages development and internal approval of research proposals and contracts for submission to funding sources.
• Develops budgets and budget narratives to support activities and ensures compliance with sponsor policies.
• Provides guidance on proposal development, routing, and approvals to faculty and PIs.
• Interprets guidelines and ensures regulatory approvals (IRB, IACUC, COI) are obtained.
• Acts as liaison between PI and OPAS for pre-award matters and coordinates with sponsors.

Skills

Grant management

Budget development

Proposal coordination

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Analytical thinking

Record keeping

Independence

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years experience

Associate’s degree + 6 years experience

CRA/CPRA/CFRA certification

Tools

Grants.gov

NIH eRA Commons

NSF FastLane

Proposal Central

Kuali

Job description

Title: Pre Award Research Administrator

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Engineering

Department: Dean - Engineering

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid or Remote

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Research Development Services, this position strengthens and enhances research in the College of Engineering (CoE) Office of Research Development Services (RDS) and identifies opportunities for expanding funding for on-going research focuses. Performs diversified and complex administrative, financial and pre-award submission for a high volume of complex and competitive grant proposals (including interdisciplinary research proposals, research center proposals and proposals for single or multiple investigators) in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.

The College of Engineering has five departments, 17 centers and institutes, more than 150 researcher active faculty and staff.

Essential Functions

• Manages the development and internal approval of research and special project proposals and contracts for submission to federal, state and private funding sources. Provides expert advice on agency, institutional and government proposal compliance to university faculty and Principal Investigators as assigned.


• Manages the planning and development of grant or contract supported projects and programs. Provides critical analysis and guidance in the review and interpretation of opportunity announcement documents. Develops budgets and budget narratives sufficient to support project or program activities and ensures consistency with applicable requirements. Drafts, writes and edits proposal documents. Reviews final proposals and ensures commitments (both fiscal and technical) and accountability are in accordance with university and sponsor policies, procedures, and regulations. Prepares and submits timely routing documentation for internal proposal submission approvals.


• Provides professional consultation, management, and leadership to ensure that faculty investigators have assistance with: the proposal and budget development process for research proposals and progress reports to improve success rates. Multi-disciplinary submissions and project development. System-to-system proposal development and routing requirements. Complete, accurate, and competitive proposals. Obtaining all compliance approvals by the appropriate university regulatory committees (e.g. Institutional Review Board, institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Conflict of Interest).


• Interprets and applies principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedents or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions and provide information and advice.


• Acts as the primary liaison between Principal Investigator and the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) for all pre-award and proposal matters. Works cooperatively with supervisors, university staff and faculty, and funding agencies to address problems or concerns and find appropriate and timely solutions.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of related experience OR Associate’s degree with 6 years of related experience.


• Demonstrated pre-award financial management experience, including proposal development and management.


• Familiarity and experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.


• Knowledge of program administration guidelines for both federal and non-federal funding agencies.


• Ability to understand and apply university policies and procedures, as well as the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, sub-awards and subcontracts.


• Ability to work independently within the college, and to work as a team member with other central administrative units of the University.


• Ability to plan ahead, prioritize, and work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment in which workload ebbs and flows and can require the management of multiple submissions across multiple PIs in a short span of time with frequent interruptions.


• Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare summary reports as required.


• Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.


• Ability to work effectively, prioritize, and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume professional environment.


• Outstanding organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, capable of self direction, ability to deal diplomatically with people at all levels, a high degree of personal integrity and discretion, solid decision-making skills, and judgment.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and serve as a liaison between granting agencies, university administration and the principal investigators.


• Intermediate level of experience with Excel and Word and the willingness to learn new technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sponsored programs (such as NSF, NIH, DoD, DoE, USDA as well as industry partners and non-profit foundations) and grant management in an academic or equivalent setting.


• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of regulations pertaining to sponsored programs.


• Experience preparing/submitting scientific research proposals and budgets under tight deadlines. Proficient with electronic grants management systems (i.e. grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF Fastlane, Proposal Central, etc.) and experience with enterprise research administration systems (e.g. Kuali).


• Ability to interpret and translate programmatic needs into cost effective budget proposals to maximize funding opportunities.


• Experience managing finances and/or projects with an institution of higher education, including knowledge of government and fund accounting.

Experience With Cost Accounting Standards And Uniform Guidance Requirements.

Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, CFRA.

Additional Details

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday within standard working hours.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 26

Click here to view the Professional Staff Hiring Ranges.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.