Northwestern University · 3 hours ago
Senior Research Administrator
Evanston, IL
Contract
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$78K/yr - $98K/yr
5+ years expNorthwestern University is a prestigious institution seeking a Senior Research Administrator to support the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Earth, Environmental, & Planetary Sciences. The role involves managing day-to-day research administration activities, including proposal development, award management, and compliance with federal grants and university guidelines.
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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
Miscellaneous: 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
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 of three years of applicable sponsored research experience
Ability to demonstrate learning agility
Practice active listening
Solid written and verbal communication skills
Composed under deadlines
Understanding of federal grants and the capability to navigate federal policies and University guidelines around sponsored research
Ability to research and problem solve complex issues
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
Excellent written and verbal communication
Previous higher education experience
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 in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home
Variety of tools and resources for professional potential or continuing formal education
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
2026-01-25
Digital Journal
2026-01-23
Company data provided by crunchbase