Junior Research Administrator (R26-40) Hybrid

RF for SUNY at the University at Albany•Albany, NY

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF for SUNY) at the University at Albany provides essential sponsored program administration and innovation support services to SUNY faculty and students. These services facilitate groundbreaking discoveries and translate them into entrepreneurial and economic development opportunities for New York State. Working at RF for SUNY at the University at Albany means being part of a team that supports the University's advancement in education, research, and discovery. The University at Albany is a nationally recognized research university with outstanding faculty, researchers, and staff, offering challenging, exciting, and rewarding careers for those seeking growth and excellence. UAlbany is at the forefront of innovation and exploration across a wide range of research areas, from health sciences and engineering to the humanities and fine arts, and has been recognized as a Carnegie R1 research institution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the US Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization and 2 years of professional experience in an administrative position; OR Associate's degree plus 4 years of professional experience in an administrative position; OR High School diploma and 6 years of professional experience in an administrative position.
Experience using Microsoft Office products.
Experience using online business systems, such as Oracle.
Must be self-directed, possess good judgment and problem-solving skills and be comfortable in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
Ability to interact effectively with a diverse constituency and be customer service oriented.
Demonstrated customer service and continuous improvement experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in higher education, research, contract administration or a related field.
Knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored research.
Designation of Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA).

Responsibilities

Review, prepare, and initiate proposals and award documents for submission on behalf of the University.
Ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements by interpreting guidelines, preparing award setups and modifications, and coordinating submissions through internal systems and sponsor portals.
Support pre-award activities including budget revisions, scope changes, no-cost extensions, and subaward initiation.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient administration across the award lifecycle.
Provide guidance to faculty and departmental staff to ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funding.
Deliver responsive support on pre-award and non-financial post-award inquiries while applying University, RF, and sponsor policies to award setup and management.
Collaborate with post-award teams, assist with timely technical reporting, and support award closeout activities.
Participate in team meetings, contribute to process improvements and SOP development, and collaborate with internal partners to deliver high-quality service across the award lifecycle.
Maintain tracking of assigned work and perform additional duties as needed.
Provide assistance to the Associate Director for Account Establishment and Management, the Assistant Director for Proposals Management, and the Director of Pre-Award Services as required.
Participate in the University's Division for Research & Economic Development programs and events.