SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Portland State University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland State University invites applications for a Departmental Research Administrator in the SPA Sponsored Projects Office. The DRA partners with faculty and research teams to manage post‑award activities, ensure sponsor compliance, and optimize resource use across a portfolio of projects.

Strong financial analysis and regulatory interpretation are essential. The role emphasizes collaboration, detailed planning, and proactive problem solving to support scholarly activity and maintain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of related experience.
• Experience interpreting and applying sponsor, institutional, or regulatory requirements in support of financial or operational decision‑making.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple competing priorities and manage complex workflows with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate complex policies, financial concepts, or compliance requirements clearly to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to identify issues, analyze risks, and develop practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment.
• Experience working across administrative units to support shared processes or outcomes.
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, FAR) and sponsor policies.

Responsibilities

• Support post‑award management of sponsored projects and ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Assist with award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, forecasting, and closeout activities.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, SPA colleagues, and department staff to optimize award management.
• Interpret regulations and provide practical guidance to researchers and admin staff.

Skills

Sponsored projects

Regulatory interpretation

Policy communication

Issue identification

Cross-unit collaboration

Federal regulations

Research administration systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Word

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date

Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026

Classification Title

Classification Title Fiscal Services

Rank

Rank N - No Rank

Working Title

Working Title SPA Departmental Research Administrator

Department

Department 400401 - SPA Sponsored Projects Office

Position Number

Position Number D93231

Representation

Representation AU - AAUP

Renewable

Renewable Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

Position FTE 1

Tenure Status N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands‑on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree‑lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state‑of‑the‑art science labs. We are proud of our world‑class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

Position Summary

The Departmental Research Administrator ( DRA ) serves as a key operational and financial partner to faculty and research teams in the administration and stewardship of sponsored projects. As part of Sponsored Projects Administration ( SPA ), the DRA supports the post‑award management of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects, helping investigators navigate sponsor requirements, manage project resources effectively, and maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations.

The DRA works closely with Principal Investigators, departmental personnel, Proposal Analysts, and other SPA colleagues to support award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, prior approval requests, and award closeout activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle. This role helps ensure that sponsored projects remain financially sustainable, operationally effective, and aligned with sponsor and institutional requirements as project needs evolve over time. The DRA may also provide operational or post‑award perspective during proposal budgeting and implementation planning to support effective project transitions and long‑term award management.

Successful DRAs combine strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, identify potential risks or issues, and provide practical guidance in a dynamic research environment. The position requires independent judgment, collaborative problem solving, attention to detail, and a service‑oriented approach to supporting research and scholarly activity.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of related experience

Related experience includes:

• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, or other restricted funds in a higher education, research, healthcare, nonprofit, governmental, or similarly regulated environment
• Experience interpreting and applying sponsor, institutional, or regulatory requirements in support of financial or operational decision‑making Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple competing priorities and manage complex workflows with strong attention to detail
• Ability to communicate complex policies, financial concepts, or compliance requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of experience and expertise
• Demonstrated ability to identify issues, analyze risks, and develop practical solutions in a dynamic operational environment
• Experience working collaboratively across administrative or operational units to support shared processes or outcomes
• Working knowledge of federal regulations governing research (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and sponsor policies)
• Experience with sponsored projects administration systems, enterprise financial systems, or electronic research administration platforms

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities of Incumbent

• Knowledge of principles associated with sponsored projects administration, financial stewardship, and research compliance
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial, operational, and regulatory information in support of sponsored project management
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage complex workloads with strong attention to detail and competing deadlines
• Demonstrated written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to understand, convey and advise on complex regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with individuals possessing varying levels of technical, financial, or regulatory knowledge
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships and effectively coordinate activities across administrative, operational, and academic units
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with a diverse set of individuals and ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, and administration
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and discretion in a complex and evolving operational environment;
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate potential impacts, and develop practical, service‑oriented solutions
• Ability to provide optimum service to internal and external customers
• Demonstrated skills with MS Office applications including Excel, utilizing basic formulas, and Word

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s with 1+ year of related experience
• Experience working in an institution of higher education
• Direct experience interpreting and applying regulations
• Knowledge of government funding regulations, grant policies and procedures, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and sound knowledge of research administration
• Experience using the Banner Financial Information System
• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long‑term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Monday - Friday, 40hrs per week, schedule to be determined

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be $64,584, but may be negotiated above this rate, dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

This is an on campus position. After the trial service period is completed, the supervisor may approve up to one day per week of remote work.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled