Department Research Administrator

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

1d • 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 duties include proposal development, award setup, award management, and closeout. The role works with Principal Investigators, key personnel, and research staff to develop nontechnical and budgetary proposal documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with sponsor, state, and university requirements. It also provides administrative management of awards and supports closeout and reporting.

The administrator manages research administration activities from proposal preparation through closeout on behalf of a unit, including reviewing and approving proposal submissions, contract negotiations, project setups, compliance, and financial reporting. The position executes operational policies and procedures and supports regulatory compliance and strategic planning. It serves as a resource to unit leadership and staff and a liaison to partners and stakeholders.

The position reports directly to the Assistant Dean for Research Administration. The anticipated hybrid schedule allows up to three days remote and two days onsite after an initial training period that requires five days onsite. Some work may be required in person at a designated campus location. The starting salary is $75,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Employment eligibility in the United States is required 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 with cloud-based grant administration or financial computer systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel or Google Suite.
• Associate's degree.
• Eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of appointment; university sponsorship is unavailable.
• Ability to work onsite five days a week during the initial training period and follow the anticipated hybrid schedule afterward.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree.
• 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, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and demands simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop nontechnical and budgetary proposal documents with Principal Investigators, key personnel, and research staff.
• Ensure proposal documents are accurate and comply with sponsor, state, and university requirements.
• Execute activities related to proposal submission, contract negotiation, and award setup on behalf of a unit.
• Manage sponsored research activities from proposal preparation through award closeout.
• Execute activities related to financial compliance, audits, and reporting on behalf of a unit.
• Implement research administration operational policies and procedures covering 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.
• Provide research administration support and serve as a resource to unit leadership and staff.
• Liaise with partners and stakeholders.

What This Job Offers

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