Research Administrator

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine invites a Research Administrator to support a dynamic research portfolio within Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences. The role partners with SPA and Contracts and Grants to manage budgets, approvals, and timelines for complex grants and clinical trials.

You will develop proposals, monitor financials, and ensure compliance with NIH and sponsor regulations while guiding research staff and coordinating with investigators across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in pre- and post-award management for federal and non-federal grants/contracts in an academic setting.
• 2+ years of experience in financial management of clinical trials.
• Strong knowledge of NIH and other sponsored award regulations.
• Proficiency in financial forecasting, accounting, and data management systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pre- and post-award processes for research projects, including contracts, grants, clinical trials, and philanthropic funding.
• Manage financial aspects of clinical trials, including budget tracking, investigator payments, invoices, and financial reporting for sponsors.
• Assist principal investigators in preparing administrative components of grant proposals within sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Develop, prepare, and monitor project budgets, ensuring compliance with financial and institutional policies.
• Collaborate with the Sponsored Project Accounting office to ensure proper award setup and compliance with cost-sharing requirements.
• Prepare grant award reports, projections, and monthly/quarterly research productivity and financial reports.
• Lead initiatives to improve efficiency in research administration, reporting, and award management.
• Assist in managing other departmental research administrators and support hiring and onboarding of research staff.
• Partner closely with USC SPA, Contracts and Grants, KSOM Office of Research Administration, PIs, research groups, and sponsors to ensure compliant operations.

Skills

Financial management

Pre- and post-award management

Regulatory compliance

NIH regulations

Analytical skills

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

Cayuse

Kuali

Job description

Job Title: Research Administrator Department: Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC Location: Health Sciences Campus (Hybrid)

Position Summary:

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of USC is seeking a Research Administrator to support our growing and dynamic research department. Reporting to the Senior Clinical Administrative Director II, and working closely with the KSOM Office of Research Administration, the Research Administrator will work closely with a team of highly motivated research investigators to manage financial and administrative research activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pre- and Post-Award Management: Oversee pre- and post-award processes for research projects, including contracts, grants, clinical trials, and philanthropic funding.
• Clinical Trial Administration: Manage financial aspects of clinical trials, including budget tracking, investigator payments, invoices, and financial reporting for sponsors.
• Proposal Development: Assist principal investigators (PIs) in preparing administrative components of grant proposals within sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Budget & Financial Oversight: Develop, prepare, and monitor project budgets, ensuring compliance with financial and institutional policies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Collaborate with the Sponsored Project Accounting office to ensure proper award setup and compliance with cost-sharing requirements.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare grant award reports, projections, and monthly/quarterly research productivity and financial reports, including maintaining a research dashboard.
• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to improve efficiency in research administration, reporting, and award management.
• Team Leadership: Assist in managing other departmental research administrators and support hiring and onboarding of research staff.
• Collaboration & Liaison: Partner closely the USC Sponsored Projects Accounting (SPA) office, Department of Contracts and Grants, KSOM Office of Research Administration, principal investigators, research groups, and external sponsors to facilitate smooth research operations and ensure compliance with institutional and funding agency policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience in pre- and post-award management for federal and non-federal grants/contracts in an academic setting
• 2+ years of experience in financial management of clinical trials
• Strong knowledge of NIH and other sponsored award regulations
• Proficiency in financial forecasting, accounting, and data management systems
• Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7-10+ years of experience in contracts and grants coordination in a fast-paced academic environment
• 5+ years of experience in clinical trial financial management
• Experience with USC systems, including Workday, Cayuse, and Kuali
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) preferred

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of clinical trial methodologies and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency in Excel for post-award financial management
• Strong interpersonal skills with a customer service-oriented mindset
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team
• Excellent time management and ability to prioritize workload effectively
• Strong financial data analysis, reporting, and presentation skills

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Experience:

5 Years

Minimum Field of Experience:

Expert knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations (e.g. FAR, A-21, A-110, A-133, CAS). Knowledge and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate University policies and procedures. Excellent oral, written, and communication skills. Excellent analytical skills; demonstrated proficiency in Excel and web-based tools. Strong accounting skills; knowledge of accounting principles. Expert in project management, including managing international collaborations and complex multi-sub award contracts. Knowledge of personnel management, including proposing effort for and training and hiring of students, post-doctorals, academic appointments, regular staff, bargaining unit staff, and consultants, along with the circumstances appropriate for each type of position.

The annual base salary range for this position is $99,645.78 - $120,000,00.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

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