Grants and Contracts Analyst

University of Chicago • Hyde Park, IL

10d • $33 - $38 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Physical Sciences Division (PSD) has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical sciences and mathematics, and this tradition of innovation continues today. Our inquiry and impact spans from the edge of the observable universe to human-computer interaction, from biophysical materials science to the geologic record of seawater composition, from gravitational waves to geometric flows, and beyond. The Physical Sciences Division Local Business Center (PSD-LBC) provides grants and finance management support to faculty, researchers, and administrators for many of the organizations (departments, research centers, and institutes) within the Physical Sciences Division. Our goal is to provide high levels of service to advance the PSD’s mission in research and education. The Grants & Contracts Analyst performs routine pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within a department or unit. Pre-award activities include research, preparing applications, and editing proposals. Post-award activities include compliance monitoring, payment processing, and salary allocations.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Strong computer skills including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet skills (Microsoft Excel).
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Time management skills and the ability to handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with individuals from across the division and university.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures.
• Understand and follow policies and sponsor guidelines.
• Multitask and manage multiple projects in client-service environment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality, including handling salary information as part of proposal budgets.
• Diplomatic and customer service-based approach to interacting with colleagues and others.
• Work effectively as a part of a team.
• Budgeting and financial accounting skills.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of a supervisor, acts as a primary account administrator for account owners in an intensive customer service environment.
• Routinely prepares budgets for grant submissions, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses on gift, endowment, and operating accounts.
• Helps to prepare monthly reports, conducts and correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions.
• Processes and reconciles account transactions, including purchases and travel expenditures.
• Interacts with University Research Administration, Faculty, Human Resources staff, Senior Grant Administrators and Grant Managers, and Financial Services Office personnel to troubleshoot issues.
• Works with other administrators on the procurement process, allocates expenditures for authorization, and advises in communications regarding funding agencies, subcontractors, and others at the instruction and direction of others.
• Assists in pre-award activities including reading proposal guideline and collecting and preparing administrative components of proposal submissions including gathering and formatting CVs, ensuring all required elements are prepared and in the correct order.
• Reviews grant proposals for spelling, grammar, and consistent formatting.
• Assists with straightforward post-award activities including account creations, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations, effort reporting, grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, invoice preparation, grant closing process, and account closing.
• Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them, and responds to their questions.
• Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi-investigator grants.
• Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees