Pre-Award Research Administrator

Virginia Commonwealth University - College of Engineering

Richmond (VA)

Hybrid

USD 65,000 - 80,000

Part time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University - College of Engineering is seeking a Pre-Award Research Administrator with preferred Post-Award proficiency. The role supports faculty and departments in developing externally sponsored research proposals, ensuring compliance with sponsor, institutional, and federal regulations.

The position offers flexible scheduling and a hybrid work arrangement. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, capable of working independently and collaboratively, and experienced with

Qualifications

Experience with sponsored project proposals and ability to draft budgets and supporting materials.
Familiarity with federal laws, rules, and regulations related to sponsored projects, including OMB Uniform Guidance.
Strong written communication skills and ability to prepare budget justifications and administrative forms.
Proven ability to interpret policies and collaborate with PIs, sponsors, and offices.

Responsibilities

Prepare budgets for federal, non-profit, and industry sponsored proposals and continuation funding.
Review proposals for compliance with sponsor and university policies.
Communicate sponsor requirements to faculty and staff clearly.
Advise researchers on submission processes and practical approaches for success.
Demonstrate excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Review subaward materials and prepare budget forms.

Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Gmail

Job description

Post award management experience.

Since its inception in 1996, Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering has brought innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia. Comprised of five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the College of Engineering enrolls approxiamately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students in several degree programs supported by about 600 full time, part time, and student employees. As part of a premier research university known for tenacity, love of the city, and commitment to diversity and access, the College of Engineering values the significant and positive impact of our people and ideas in the promotion of regional and global prosperity involving research.

The Sponsored Programs Office within the College of Engineering is responsible for providing pre-award and post-award administrative and financial management for more than $30 million in sponsored research expenditures.

To support the College’s goals of increased external research funding, we are seeking an experienced Pre-Award Research Administrator, with preferred Post-Award proficiency.

This is a benefiited position with a flexible schedule, between 30 and 32 hours per week depending on the applicant.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Pre-Award Research Administrator provides administrative support to faculty, researchers, and academic departments in the development and submission of externally sponsored research proposals. This position ensures compliance with sponsor, institutional, federal, and state regulations while facilitating the timely preparation and submission of competitive grant applications. The administrator serves as a key liaison among principal investigators (PIs), sponsors, and the university's Office of Research. The ideal candidate is able to work independently and collaboratively with team members, faculty, and external parties.

Specific Duties Include

Prepare budgets for federal, non-profit, and industry sponsored project research proposals and, continuation/supplemental funding proposals.
Review, interpret, and apply sponsor and university guidelines for sponsored project research proposals. Review proposals for compliance in accordance with university and sponsor policies and guidelines.
Clearly communicate sponsor and university policies, procedures, and requirements pertaining to sponsored project research proposals to faculty, staff, external collaborators, postdoctoral research associates, and students.
Advise faculty and other research personnel on practical approaches for successful research proposal submissions.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Request and review subaward proposal materials.
Prepare proposal budget and administrative forms in compliance with a sponsor’s guidelines.
Inform faculty and other research proposal personnel on issues pertaining to internal and external sponsored project submissions.
Assist with completing and review for compliance Current and Pending/Other Support documents and Biographical Sketches.
Ability to be precise, thorough, reliable, work independently, adapt to frequent changes in work assignments, and possess the ability to reason, think logically and analyze situations to achieve resolution of problems or concerns.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge and work experience with sponsored project research proposal submissions. Must demonstrate pre-award knowledge and an interest and willingness to learn the requirements of this position and acquire additional professional expertise.
Experience drafting budgets and working with principal investigators on revisions as needed.
Knowledge and work experience with sponsored award related federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Demonstrated experience drafting clear budget justifications and other written materials, and accurate completion of administrative forms.
Aptitude for interpreting and applying university and federal policies, procedures, laws, and regulations to assigned sponsored projects. Knowledge of OMB cost principles and Uniformed Guidance 2CFR200.
Excellent computer skills using MS Office with an emphasis on Excel spreadsheets and using Gmail. Capacity to use a variety of online internal and external systems.
Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Must have the ability to effectively and clearly answer inquiries of faculty, staff, and various customer groups (i.e., external sponsors). Ability to maintain effective communication with fellow sponsored program staff.
Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and evaluate all sponsor project budget data.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent years of experience)
5 or more years of experience in pre-award support
Post award management experience.
Experience with Engineering-relevant funding agencies including DoW(DoD), DOE, NSF and NIH.
Familiarity with related Commonwealth of Virginia laws, rules, and regulations.
The College of Engineering supports a collaborative environment. The candidate will have experience fostering such an environment.

Salary Range:

$65,000 - $80,000

Benefits:

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, 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.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Hours per Week:

Restricted Position:

ORP Eligible:

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

University Job Title:

3421S - Sr Research Administrator Senior

Unit:

College Of Engineering MBU

Department: