Northwestern University · 6 hours ago
Senior Research Administrator
Evanston, IL
Contract
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$78K/yr - $97K/yr
5+ years expNorthwestern University is a prestigious institution seeking a Senior Research Administrator to provide administrative leadership in support of the McCormick School of Engineering’s research programs. This role involves managing pre- and post-award research administration, developing training programs for research administrators, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
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Responsibilities
Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of McCormick School of Engineering’s research programs and mission
The Senior RA will serve in dual roles by providing pre- & post-award research administration for various units throughout the school, as well as designing and maintaining the McCormick research administration training program which includes on-boarding of new research administrators and on-going workshops, training and education for the research administration team at large
Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness
Provides pre- & post-award research administration throughout the school, based on need, and as assigned
Using extensive research administration experience, coordinates all aspects of multiple grants &/or contract pre- & post-award activities
Assists in 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
In collaboration with the Senior Director, Assistant Director, Manager, and other Senior RAs, will identify the training needs of the McCormick research administration team, including but not limited to development of curriculum, development of tools and job aids, and building an accessible training database
Provides training and mentorship to other staff
May supervise 1-2 staff members
Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts
Coordinates proposal submission
Coordinates budget and justification preparation
Completes sponsor and university proposal forms
Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements
Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions
Ensures that proposed projects meet goals of dept. & that necessary resources are available
Manages and follows through on high-risk situations
Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review & submission
Interprets sponsor guidelines
Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative & financial functions
Resolves issues with collaborators &/or other involved parties
Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration
Manages all day-to-day grant &/or contract functions such as administration, finance, facilities, compliance, reporting, etc. ensuring timetables are created & maintained as appropriate
Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit post-award performance
Recommends & facilitates procedural changes in grant &/or contract administration as necessary
Recommends policy to enhance research administration
Reviews transactions and resolve 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
Maintains the McCormick research administration training program and associated documentation
Provides research administration training
Develops staff
Mentors other administrative staff in research administration
Serves as a primary resource for research administration guidance
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
Provides direct supervision to research support staff
Assigns & reviews staff work
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
A minimum of 5 years' experience required with 2 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience
Organization, time management, detail oriented
Multi-tasking, communication
Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
Potential for growth into managing / supervisory role
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 Fastlane
Knowledge of other electronic federal proposal/award management systems, including www.grants.gov
Knowledge of basic intellectual property principles
Knowledge of NU's financial systems and accounting 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
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
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
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