Research Administrator - Engineering

University of Houston; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston is seeking a Research Administrator at levels 2 or 3 to manage pre-award and post-award activities for federal, state, and private grants. The role leads a research administration team within the Dean, Engineering department.

RA2 focuses on complex proposals, cost center management, and guidance for faculty; RA3 adds supervisory duties and process oversight for award administration and compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years of directly job-related experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of directly job-related experience.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and submits proposals to external funding sources; initiates the creation of cost centers and adjusts them per award terms.
• Provides guidance and expertise to faculty, department administrators and university executives on a wide variety of grants and contracts issues.
• Develops and implements internal operating procedures for the assigned team; coordinates work activities and provides direction as needed.
• Maintains web-based proposal submission and research administration using electronic research administration systems.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of grants and sub-recipient awards with sponsors and reviews contracts with the Research Contracts Officer.
• Oversees review of grant-related expenditure reallocations in compliance with regulations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Grant administration

Team leadership

Policy compliance

Education

4-year degree

Tools

ERAS systems

Job description

Department: Dean, Engineering Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description:

The Cullen College of Engineering is looking for a Research Administrator level 2 or level 3 - Please see job description for both.

RA2:

Performs the more complex pre-award and post-award administration of federal, state, private profit and private non-profit grants and contracts awarded to the University of Houston. Serves as team leader for research administration team for assigned college units.

Career Ladder Levels: Research Administrator 3 // Research Administrator 2 // Research Administrator 1 // Research Grants Office Coordinator

1. Reviews and submits proposals to external funding sources; initiates the creation of cost centers according to awarded project terms and conditions and modifies cost centers according to revised award notices.
2. Provides guidance and expertise to faculty, department administrators and university executives on a wide variety of grants and contracts issues.
3. Responsible for customer problem review and resolution for research administration team.
4. Develops and implements internal operating procedures for assigned team; coordinates the work activities of assigned team and provides work direction as needed.
5. Maintains web-based proposal submission and research administration using electronic research administration systems.
6. Negotiates the terms and conditions of grants and sub-recipient awards with potential sponsors and awardees and reviews contracts in conjunction with the Research Contracts Officer.
7. Research sponsor's financial and administrative regulations applicable to funded projects.
8. Evaluates expenditure reallocation documents according to federal, state and university guidelines for allowability, appropriateness and timeliness.
9. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.

RA3:

Assists the Director of Contracts and Grants in the coordination of the pre-award and post-award activities to ensure compliance with policies and regulations. Serves as working manager for research administration team for assigned college units.

Career Ladder Levels: Research Administrator 3 // Research Administrator 2 // Research Administrator 1 // Research Grants Office Coordinator

1. Supervises the award administration staff in Contracts and Grants, to include setting goals, performance appraisals, and cross-training.
2. Oversees and reviews the proposal submission process to external funding sources and manages the process of cost center and notice of award creation, including modifications.
3. Manages departmental outreach, customer service efforts.
4. Assists with the development and implementation of internal operating procedures; coordinates the work activities of Contracts and Grants and provides work direction as needed.
5. Negotiates the terms and conditions of grant and sub-recipient awards, and reviews contracts with the Research Contracts Officer.
6. Oversees the review and approval of select grant-related expenditure reallocation documents in compliance according to federal, state and university policies and regulations.
7. Assists with development, modification, and instruction of research compliance training for faculty and staff.
8. Assists with internal and external audits pertaining to the activities of Contracts and Grants.
9. Performs other job-related duties as required.

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a minimum of five (5) years of directly job-related experience.

Education will be considered in lieu of experience.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.