Department: WCAS Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/9
Job Summary:

The Senior Research Administrator position will support the Department of Physics & Astronomy reporting to the Manager of Research Administration in the Weinberg College Dean's Office. Using extensive research administration experience, manages overall 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 5 years of applicable sponsored research 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.

The position offers the flexibility of On-Site or Hybrid options. Hybrid can be on-site on the Evanston campus one to two days per week. Join a supportive and collaborative group of research administrators in Weinberg College in advancing the research mission of the University.

The Research Administrator/Sr. Research Administrator position is a multi-level position. Dependent on the minimum qualifications, this position could be offered at either level.

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers multiple research projects such as:
• Single Principal Investigator (PI) proposals, grants &/or contracts
• Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
• Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit
• Sponsors include: NASA, NSF, DOE, Foundations and Industry
• Center or program grants
• Proposals with cost sharing
• Fixed-price contracts
• Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre-Award

• 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.

Post-Award

• Coordinates post-award administration of research grants and/or contracts
• Reviews account establishment.
• Interprets award documents
• Completes expenditure reviews.
• Verifies cost share entries.
• Provides data needed for interim & final financial reports.
• Facilitates account close out activities, coordinating with ASRSP as needed.
• Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

• Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.
• 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.

Human Resources

• Provides research administration training.
• Develops staff.
• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with supervisor & faculty.

Supervision

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Familiarity with Excel, including formulas

The range is This position is full-time and the target hiring range will be between $76,196 - $107,151 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.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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