Northwestern University · 10 hours ago
Senior Research Administrator
Evanston, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$78K/yr - $87K/yr
5+ years expNorthwestern University is seeking a Senior Research Administrator to provide administrative leadership in support of the Materials Science Engineering department's research programs. The role involves coordinating grant and contract activities, developing funding opportunities, and mentoring new staff in research administration.
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Responsibilities
Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission
Provides sole support to the Materials Science Engineering department and associated centers
Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities
Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems
Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness
This position assists with the onboarding, ongoing training, & mentorship to new McCormick research administration staff
Typically administers multiple research projects such as: Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts, Research portfolio for a complex large-size unit, DOD and industry awards, Center or program grants, Proposals with cost sharing, Fixed-price contracts, Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements
Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts
Coordinates proposal submission
Coordinates budget and justification preparation
Completes sponsor and university proposal forms
May coordinate IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements
Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions
Exercises department-level delegated sign-off authority on CERES proposal records
Coordinates post-award activities
Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio
Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects
Manages day-to-day financial functions
Verifies that protocols are linked to chart strings
Completes expenditure reviews
Verifies & processes cost share entries
Identifies program income issues
Proposes resolutions to overdrafts
Provides information needed to prepare interim & final financial reports
Facilitates account close out activities
Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration
Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio
Reviews transactions and resolves issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge
Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes
Manages & integrates all departmental staff efforts for grant &/or contract administration
Provides research administration training
Develops staff
Mentors other administrative staff in research administration
Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance for departmental staff
Assists with trainings and onboarding to new research administration staff members
Provides mentorship to all research administration staff
Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration
Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice
Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
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
5 years research administration experience
Organization, time management, detail oriented
Multi-tasking, communication
Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
Managing people
Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing
Preferred
Four to six years of proposal/award management experience in a university environment
Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
Understanding of OMB Uniform Guidance, Research Terms & Conditions (FDP) and agency-specific terms and conditions, including the NSF Grant Policy Manual and PHS Grants Policy Statement
Knowledge of the NSF Grant Proposal Guide and NSF research.gov
Knowledge of other electronic federal proposal/award management systems, including www.grants.gov
Knowledge of basic intellectual property principles
Knowledge of NU's grant and financial systems and procedures
Experience prioritizing work and managing detailed work under deadlines
Benefits
Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans
Retirement benefits
Tuition discounts
Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
Variety of tools and resources for professional growth
Company
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Northwestern University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (325)
2024 (308)
2023 (280)
2022 (282)
2021 (184)
2020 (155)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$98.02MKey Investors
National Peanut BoardAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthGRAMMY Museum
2024-10-30Grant
2024-10-04Grant· $34M
2023-11-28Grant· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Diego Klabjan
Professor
Henry Bienen
Interim President
Recent News
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