Associate Research Administrator

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

3d • $43 - $53

About The Position

Reporting to the Division Chief, the Associate Research Coordinator provides financial management and research administration services to research faculty in the division. The role works with faculty and administrative staff to ensure grants are managed in a fiscally compliant manner, serving as a resource to principal investigators and university staff on research administration and related technical matters.

This is a high-pressure position with numerous internal and external deadlines. The successful candidate is self-motivated, reliable, conscientious, organized, and able to solve analytical problems and plan independently. The position requires working with all levels of staff and establishing and maintaining relationships across departments and divisions while supporting principal investigators’ grant and accounting needs. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or combined experience and education in place of the minimum education requirement.
• At least 3 years of minimum experience.
• Basic knowledge of governmental regulations.
• Strong accounting skills and competency in project management.
• Broad knowledge of relevant research computer software, including Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard.
• Experience creating and analyzing statistical reports.
• Ability to use computer technology to access data, maintain records, and generate reports.
• Proven oral and written communication skills for interacting with other employees.
• Ability to work with all levels of staff, establish and maintain relationships across departments and divisions, solve analytical problems, and plan independently.
• Self-motivated, reliable, conscientious, bright, competent, and organized.

Responsibilities

• Participate with principal investigators in preparing administrative components of proposals in accordance with sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines; oversee and communicate paper and electronic submissions and review documents for completeness and compliance.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets and provide budget justifications.
• Serve as the primary liaison and active partner among principal investigators, the Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are properly set up and cost-sharing requirements are fulfilled; initiate cost transfers.
• Review and approve expenditures; advise on post-award spending and commitment activity; oversee compliance related to funds and revenue.
• Develop and communicate project-status reports; create forecasting and decision aids.
• Participate in contract closeout; submit final reports and certificates; compile information and documents for audit inquiries.
• Understand, apply, and advise on University and government policies for projects.
• Serve as a subject-area and technical resource to principal investigators and other university staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time