Senior Research Administrator

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 78,500 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Tuition benefits to employees

Paid vacation and holidays

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, seeks a Senior Research Administrator to support Physics & Astronomy and Earth, Environmental, & Planetary Sciences. The role handles proposal development, award management, and closeout duties under a Manager of Research Administration.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of relevant experience, strong communication, and a solid understanding of federal grants and university guidelines. Hybrid schedule offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least five years experience with at least two years in research administration and three years in research, finance, or related areas.
• Experience with federal sponsors preferred (NSF, DOE, NASA, NIH).
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance, FDP terms, and agency-specific terms.
• Familiarity with electronic federal proposal/award systems (Grants.gov, Research.gov).

Responsibilities

• Pre-Award: manage pre-award administration, proposals, budgets, forms, IRB coordination.
• Post-Award: coordinate post-award administration, account setup, and reporting.
• Financial: oversee sponsored projects portfolio, cost-sharing and effort reporting.
• Compliance: ensure NU policies and sponsor rules compliance; recommend improvements.
• HR: provide training and mentor other staff; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organization

Time management

Detail orientation

Multi-tasking

Communication

Self-starter

Diplomacy

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Grants.gov

Research.gov

Job description

Department: WCAS Administration Salary/Grade: EXS/9

The Senior Research Administrator supports the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Earth, Environmental, & Planetary Sciences. Reporting to the Manager of Research Administration, the position manages day-to-day research administration activities including proposal development, award management, and assisting with award closeout responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of relevant experience combined with the ability to demonstrate learning agility, practice active listening, have solid written and verbal communication skills, and be composed under deadlines. This role requires an understanding of federal grants and the capability to navigate federal policies and University guidelines around sponsored research. Candidates should be able to research and problem-solve complex issues. This is a great opportunity for an experienced research administrator who wants to work as part of a collaborative team.

This position is full-time and offers a hybrid work schedule. The target hiring range for this position will be between $78,500 - $98,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Specific Responsibilities

• Pre-Award: Manages pre-award administration of grants and/or contracts, coordinates proposal submission, handles budget and justification preparation, completes sponsor and university forms and coordinates IRB protocols, sub-recipients, and other activities as needed. Reviews solicitations and final applications to ensure all needed documents are prepared in accordance with requirements. Effectively communicates with department during submission processes.
• Post-Award: Coordinates post-award administration of research grants and/or contracts, reviews account establishment and interprets award documents. Completes expenditure review, provides data needed for interim and financial reports and facilitates account close out activities coordinating with accounting services as needed. Oversees effort commitment and reporting.
• Financial: Oversees sponsored project portfolio, reviews transactions, and resolves issues that require a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing and/or effort reporting knowledge; provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.
• Compliance: Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations and requirements regarding grant and/or contract administration. Recommends changes to improve programs, policy and practices. Resolves compliance problems working in conjunction with supervisor and faculty.
• Human Resources: Provides research administration training. Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least five years experience with at least two years of research administration experience and three years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience required.

Minimum Competencies

• Organization, time management, and detail orientation
• Multi-tasking and communication skills
• Must be a self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, and able to manage stress
• Demonstrates leadership by cooperatively anticipating and strategizing

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience working with federal sponsors such as NSF, DOE, NASA, and NIH Prior experience managing proposals and awards within a higher education environment
• Understanding of OMB Uniform Guidance, Research Terms & Conditions (FDP) and agency-specific terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of other electronic federal proposal/award management systems, including www.grants.gov and Research.gov

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.