Post Award Specialist (Open Rank: Entry-Principal)

University of Colorado

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is seeking to hire an open rank Post Award Specialist (Entry-Principal level). This position will provide direct professional support of research activities, including contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication and post award management, human subject compliance, and research animal compliance. The role involves providing high-level research administration support for the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and reports to the Director of Finance and Administration, working closely with department faculty. The incumbent must possess advanced Microsoft Excel skills to manage, analyze, and forecast complex sponsored project finances, independently building and maintaining detailed financial tracking tools, performing reconciliations, creating projections, and analyzing large data sets to support compliance, decision‑making, and effective stewardship of research funds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
• One (1) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Intermediate level).
• Two (2) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Senior level).
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Principal level).
• A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
• Minimum qualifications must be met at the time of hire.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and the ability to create and maintain complex financial spreadsheets for grants management and forecasting.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related area
• Demonstrated experience with post‑award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.
• Demonstrated experience managing federal sponsored awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD), including knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor‑specific policies.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including independent use of formulas, pivot tables, and complex spreadsheets for financial analysis and reporting.
• Experience working in an academic, medical, or research institution
• Advanced experience with post‑award financial analysis, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost transfers, and compliance monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide guidance to faculty and leadership on post‑award matters.

Responsibilities

• Activate Grant Accounts
• Contract and Subcontract Administration
• Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions for appropriateness
• Provide monthly financial projections to PI’s and the Director of Finance and Administration on all sponsored programs and start-up accounts
• Process grant account close-outs

Benefits

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level