Research Administrator, COM

University of New England; Biddeford (ME); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plan options

Up to 8% retirement plan match

Generous leave time

UNE tuition waiver for employees

Job summary

The University of New England is seeking a Research Administrator to coordinate various administrative functions within the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The role involves ensuring compliance with research policies and providing budgetary support to faculty and lab personnel. This full-time position requires a bachelor's degree and several years of experience in research administration.

Responsibilities include liaising with research offices, supporting grant submissions, and maintaining compliance with financial regulations. A supportive work environment with multiple benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred in a related field (research administration, science, or business).
• 3-5 years’ experience in research administration, grant management, or compliance.
• Knowledge of federal and institutional compliance requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate administrative functions associated with research areas.
• Provide budgetary support for grant-active PIs.
• Act as liaison with the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Monitor post-award budget processes and advise faculty.
• Track grant-related purchase cards.

Skills

Research administration

Grant management

Financial reconciliation

Regulatory interpretation

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Multiple priorities management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Spreadsheets

Database management

Job description

Description

The College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) is looking for a Research Administrator to coordinate and carry out a variety of administrative functions associated with the daily operations of defined research areas at COM, including compliance with internal and external contract policies, collaborating with key administrative offices supporting research at UNE, and streamlining and supporting administrative and financial procedures for faculty and laboratory personnel. This position provides budgetary and fiscal support for the grant active Principal Investigators (PIs) in the COM, and supports the Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship, the COM Director of Finance & Administration, and COM Dean/VP of Health Affairs in the administration of research‑related operating budgets.

Position Details

• Position Type: Professional Staff
• Employment Status: Full Time
• Months: 12
• Campus Location: Both ME Campuses

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the COM Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship, act as a liaison with the Office of Research and Innovation and affiliated teams to enable faculty directed research, enhance engagement of medical students in research to ensure compliance with College, COCA, IRB, IACUC, and granting agency fiscal and compliance policies.
• Support increased research productivity (streamline lab setups, support efforts to increase grant submissions).
• Develop a clear, consistent operating procedure to communicate and advise COM faculty on internal and grant‑related contractual compliance policies and expectations.
• Provide budgetary and financial support to COM PI Faculty and professional staff including:
  • Provide budget oversight and transaction histories, and assist in the management of grant expenditures for external grants and internal grant/fellowship funds.
  • Track and reconcile grant budget lines.
  • Compile data and evaluate spending patterns throughout the grant cycle.
  • Track grant records that require COM Dean's approval.
  • Process and track grant-related Approvals to Travel and Travel Expense Vouchers.
  • Reconcile grant-related purchase cards.
  • Coordinate with the ORIC, OSP, COM Director F&A for grant-related Request for Contracts.
  • Serve as liaison between faculty, staff, and other key University personnel to process special grant-related requests.
• Work closely with the Grants Accounting and Compliance Manager to monitor post‑award budget processes and advise faculty regarding the drawdown of internal and external accounts.
• Work closely with Research Center Shared Resource Directors and the Office of Research and Innovation to monitor and verify the fiscal aspects of shared resource use.
• Initiate new hire paperwork and assist with onboarding professional, temp, and student employees for research labs; streamline onboarding and off‑boarding procedures for new hired and departing faculty and lab personnel.
• Monitor internal and external funding opportunities to create and maintain a monthly communication to increase the overall number of grants submitted by COM faculty.
• Develop and maintain a database of internal and external grant submissions, determine "hit rate" and work closely with the Dean and Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship to increase the funding base with a focus on medical student engagement.
• Conduct orientations on the physical space, building, and laboratory layouts, and facilitate access to Shared Resources and facilities.
• Coordinate with and act as COM monitor for the department of Environmental Health and Safety to ensure that research operations are conducted in compliance with site‑specific procedures and all applicable institutional, state, and federal regulations.
• Perform other specialized/technical tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred in a related field (research administration, science, or business).
• 3‑5 years’ experience in research administration, grant management, or compliance.
• Knowledge of federal and institutional compliance requirements (IRB, IACUC, COCA, NIH/NSF policies).
• Experience with pre‑ and post‑award grant processes, budget development, and financial reconciliation.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory, fiscal, and contractual policies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to compile, track, and evaluate financial and grant‑related data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for liaison work with faculty, staff, and central research units.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate timelines, and develop consistent processes.
• Familiarity with laboratory environments and research operations; experience supporting research onboarding preferred.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and grant management or financial tracking systems.

Benefits Overview

• Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
• Up to 8% retirement plan match.
• Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
• Educational benefits:
  • UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.