Research Funding Administrator

The University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

TRS or ORP

Job summary

The University of Georgia seeks a Research Funding Administrator to oversee pre-award and post-award grant administration for the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and Center for Molecular Medicine. You will coordinate with faculty, OSP, and funding agencies to ensure timely proposal submissions and award management.

Responsibilities include developing budgets, ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines, and guiding staff and faculty in grantsmanship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 5 years professional experience.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA).
• Experience in pre-award and post-award grant administration.
• Budget development, financial tracking and reporting for grants.
• Strong written and verbal communication with faculty and agencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and grant submission systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development and submission leadership for Centers (pre-award to closeout).
• Assist faculty by drafting sections, completing forms, and supervising staff.
• Develop complex budgets and budget justifications for grants.
• Interpret sponsor guidelines and policies to ensure compliance.
• Provide strategic updates to Centers leadership on status and opportunities.
• Maintain and track active and pending grant activity and reporting.

Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Analytical problem-solving

Project management

Financial and budgeting skills

Organizational skills

Excel

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Posting Number: S15521P

Working Title: Research Funding Administrator

Department: VPR-Complex Carbohyd Rsch Ctr

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: Normal hours are 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday but hours and days could vary based on grant workload.

Advertised Salary: $65,000+ commensurate with experience

Posting Date: 07/28/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 10/01/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Grants Professional III

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.0

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Reporting to the Joint Director of the CCRC/CMM, the Research Funding Administrator is a senior-level grants management professional overseeing pre-award administration for the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and the Center for Molecular Medicine (Centers), which receive over $20M per year in external funding. Supported by one or more Grants Specialists, this position manages the full grant lifecycle, tracks progress, and provides updates to faculty.

The role also serves as a liaison with the Office of Sponsored Projects and funding agencies, while supporting faculty in proposal development and award administration. In addition, the Research Funding Administrator represents the Centers on institutional committees and must demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to meet strict deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Certified Decentralized Limited Signature Authority (DLSA) Practitioner designation

Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA) related to sponsored research.
• In-depth understanding of pre-award and post-award grant administration processes.
• Knowledge of institutional policies, financial administration, and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with electronic research administration systems and grant submission platforms.
• Understanding of budget development, financial tracking, and reporting requirements for grants.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with faculty, agencies, and institutional offices.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret guidelines and manage complex proposals.
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Financial and budgeting skills, including development of complex, multi-variable grant budgets.
• Organizational skills for tracking proposals, awards, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and research administration systems.

Abilities

• Ability to independently manage the full lifecycle of grants from proposal development through closeout.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and sponsor guidelines accurately.
• Ability to work under pressure and consistently meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to guide grants support staff effectively.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to identify funding opportunities and align them with faculty research goals.

Other Characteristics

• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong initiative and self-direction with minimal supervision.
• Professional judgment and discretion in handling sensitive financial and research information.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning to stay current on evolving regulations and best practices.

Physical Demands: Sitting for long periods of time.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): No

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Proposal Development & Submission Leadership – 40%

• Serve as an expert resource for complex proposal development, reporting requirements, and electronic research administration systems.
• Lead proposal submissions as institutional signatory (DLSA), including direct submission to funding agencies without OSP review.
• Assist faculty by drafting proposal sections, completing forms, and supervising staff involved in proposal preparation.
• Develop complex budgets, budget justifications, and multi-variable spreadsheets.
• Interpret sponsor guidelines, policies, and agency expectations to ensure compliant proposals.
• Provide strategic updates to Centers leadership regarding status, trends, and opportunities related to pending and active grant submissions.

Percentage of time: 40

Grant Management & Administration – 35%

• Manage awards from submission through closeout, including reporting, progress tracking, and compliance.
• Respond to inquiries from funding agencies, faculty, and OSP.
• Prepare justifications for special approvals and account modifications.
• Process administrative actions such as no-cost extensions, residual balances, and pending award requests to ensure continuity of funding.
• Prepare current and pending support documentation for various sponsors (NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, etc.).

Percentage of time: 35

Deadline & Compliance Coordination – 10%

• Monitor and communicate proposal requirements, submission status, and outstanding items to faculty.
• Ensure adherence to sponsor guidelines and internal policies.
• Track and notify faculty of upcoming deadlines for proposals, progress reports, and renewals.
• Prepare and submit administrative portions of required reports.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of active and pending grants (budgets, effort, timelines, and details).

Percentage of time: 10

Faculty Support & Funding Strategy – 10%

• Provide direct support to faculty and collaborators (internal and external) throughout the proposal lifecycle.
• Identify funding opportunities and align them with faculty research interests.
• Advise faculty on grantsmanship and proposal competitiveness.

Percentage of time: 10

Policy, Committees & Professional Engagement – 5%

• Contribute to Centers leadership through advice and counsel as a member of the Senior Staff.
• Participate in research administration groups (e.g., RADG) and serve on or lead institutional committees.
• Contribute to development of research administration policies and practices.
• Maintain current knowledge of institutional, federal, state, and sponsor regulations.
• Complete other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Percentage of time: 5

Contact Details: For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Michael Tiemeyer

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]