Department Research Administrator

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department Research Administrator provides proposal and award management support to designated engineering units as part of the College of Engineering Research Services Team. Core responsibilities include proposal development, award setup and management, and closeout. The role works with Principal Investigators, key personnel, and research staff to prepare nontechnical and budgetary proposal documents, ensure accuracy and compliance with sponsor, state, and university requirements, administer awards, and complete closeout and reporting.

The position manages research administration activities throughout the sponsored-project lifecycle, from proposal preparation through closeout. It reviews and approves proposal submissions, contract negotiations, project setups, compliance activities, and financial reporting, and helps develop and implement operational and strategic plans that support regulatory compliance. The role serves as a resource to unit leadership and staff and a liaison to partners and stakeholders. It reports directly to the Assistant Dean for Research Administration.

The position may involve both onsite and remote work. After an initial training period requiring five days onsite, the anticipated hybrid schedule allows up to three remote days and requires two onsite days each week. The successful applicant must be eligible to work in the United States by the appointment’s effective date; university sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Professional experience in grant management or research administration at a university or research organization.
• Experience using cloud-based grant administration or financial computer systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, or Google Suite.
• Associate's degree required.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States on or before the appointment’s effective date; university sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience applying fiscal and administrative rules, regulations, and procedures for administering sponsored projects.
• Experience with Workday ERP.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multiple groups and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and demands simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute activities related to proposal submission, contract negotiation, and award setup on behalf of a unit.
• Execute activities related to financial compliance, audits, and reporting on behalf of a unit.
• Execute research administration operational policies and procedures involving financial, administrative, staffing, and compliance matters.
• Review and approve programmatic transactions across the sponsored-project lifecycle to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies and procedures.
• Serve as a key resource to unit leadership and staff and as a liaison to partners and stakeholders.
• Work with Principal Investigators, key personnel, and research staff to develop nontechnical and budgetary proposal documents.
• Manage research administration activities from proposal preparation through award closeout, including award management and reporting.
• Support compliance with sponsor, state, university, and regulatory requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree