Research Administrator II

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute seeks a Research Administrator II to manage complex research portfolios and advise faculty on sponsored program applications and financial management. The role spans federal, industry, foundation, donor, and clinical trial funds, with collaboration across Research Finance, Grants and Contracts, and other central offices.

Located in Boston, the Institute emphasizes inclusive, diverse, and equitable care, supports groundbreaking cancer research, and values proactive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2 years of experience preferred.
• Familiarity with NIH/Grants policy and sponsored research requirements helpful.

Responsibilities

• Manage financials for sponsored and institutional funds and prepare sponsor reports.
• Oversee procurement and verify funds availability for investigators and core services.
• Assist with onboarding, salary offers, visa processing, and merit/promotion workflows.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations including NIH and other funders.
• Collaborate with central offices (Finance, Grants and Contracts, Clinical Trials Office) on time/effort and cost allocations.

Skills

Budgeting

Grant management

Communication

Organization

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

The Research Administrator II is responsible for the management of the research portfolios with increasing complexity for multiple laboratories and completes work independently with limited direction and supervision from their supervisor. The Research Administrator II is responsible for a diverse set of funding types including federal, industry, foundation, donor, institutional, chargeback, and clinical trials. The RA II collaborates with and advises faculty and researchers on the preparation of sponsored research applications and/or the financial management of sponsored and institutional funds; and is responsible for problem solving on behalf of the department. The Research Administrator II is responsible for collaborating with Institute central offices such as Research Finance, Accounts Payable, Research Administration, Special Funds, Grants and Contracts, the Clinical Trials Office, Office of General Counsel, and the Innovations Office. In addition to grant management responsibilities, the Research Administrator II may manage special projects/assignments either within the department or across departments and may represent the Department at Institutional Committees and Workgroups.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management (post-award) Responsible for the financial management of sponsored and institutional funds portfolio management. Prepare financial and narrative reports for sponsors while managing and adhering to specified deadlines, provide projection and project summary reports to investigators on a regular basis, ensure spending adheres to budget and sponsor and Institute guidelines, invoice and monitor receivables for clinical trial enrollment when appropriate, establish billing agreements as appropriate, track milestones and receivables for industry agreements.
• Procurement Approve and/or initiate purchase requests for investigators and laboratory members via Purchase Orders and PCard. Verify funds are available, expenses are allowable and correctly allocated in a timely manner. Review and approve bills for core and center services.
• Human Resources Onboarding – conduct financial analysis to determine availability of funding, assist in the development of job descriptions, post positions, approve salary offers, process visa applications and payments as appropriate. Ongoing – process merit, equity and promotions requests. Manage salary allocations in adherence to funding guidelines and availability. Offboarding – manage termination process checklist, process termination paperwork.
• Compliance Partners with faculty and researchers to ensure adherence to internal and external policies. This includes consulting with faculty/OGC/Innovations on MTA, DUA and consulting agreement processes. Also includes advising faculty and researchers and/or referring them to appropriate resources for other compliance issues such as financial conflict of interest and foreign influence. Educate new researchers and manage the federal time and effort process for applicable researchers. Continuous learning and educating of researchers on NIH Grants Policy Statement and DFCI Policies. Review Time and Effort prior to routing to researchers for certification.
• Cores, Centers and Chargebacks Assist in pricing development and annual review of pricing, process monthly billing for internal and external customers, manage funds to ensure revenue meets expenditures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Computer literacy Proficient with new applications and software programs. Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets preferred.
• Organization Proficient with electronic document and email file storage. Able to complete projects with proficiently, accurately and on time. Proficient at prioritization and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Customer Service Provides excellent written and verbal communication. Demonstrated proficiency with listening, inquiry, follow-up, and problem-solving skills.
• Critical Thinking Demonstrated proficiency assessing increasingly complex situations and developing solutions. Proficient analyzing grant data through research, comprehension and application of regulations, policies and procedures including NIH and other Federal, state and foundation regulations.
• Financial Proficient with budgeting principles, including projections and the integration of multiple awards and types with varying project periods.
• Teamwork and Collaboration Proficient cultivating relationships with faculty, research staff, department’s GM team, GM in other departments, and central departments.
• Institute operations and processes Proficient directing faculty and researchers to appropriate departmental and institutional resources, including for issues or queries outside the standard scope direct responsibility.
• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Promotes inclusive community where human differences are valued and celebrated and where all are welcome.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 2 years of experience preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Patient Contact: None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$75,300.00 - $84,600.00