Research Administration Advisor I Post Award

Clarkson University • Potsdam, NY

1d • $26 - $27

About The Position

This is a professional position in which the administrator serves in an advisory capacity to sponsors, Principal Investigators, and unit leaders (e.g., Faculty, Chairs, Directors, and Deans) throughout the campus research community. This position frequently exercises discretion and independent judgment in identifying potential opportunities and problems/discrepancies in research development and administration compliance, effectiveness, and efficiency, based on extensive knowledge of federal, state, and university regulations, guidelines, and practices. The general purpose of this role is to support and implement day-to-day operations of the department and to consistently demonstrate the ability to respond to change in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary, and organizing job functions and work area to be able to efficiently and effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.

Requirements

• Bachelors’ degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience totaling 2-4 years.
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures, organization practices and protocols
• Computer Literacy: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Excel
• Excellent organization, verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, ability to exercise personal judgement, and a willingness to exercise initiative are required
• Exceptional customer service and inter-personal skills
• Effective time management skills/ability to meet deadlines
• Proven ability to manage confidential information
• Clear speech for effective communication needs
• Accounting and budgeting skills in managing complex financial accounts and funds, as well as knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal, and reporting principles
• Resourcefulness, flexibility, ability to problem solve and work independently or as a team member
• Ability and initiative to work with minimal or no supervision and in a professional manner

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and 2-4 years specific job-related experience in Research Administration.
• 2-4 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's Degree
• Experience working with budgets and a basic understanding of accounting practices
• Working knowledge of University business policies and sponsor regulations as they relate to sponsored programs
• Intermediate skills in PeopleSoft and Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge in applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc. is a plus

Responsibilities

• Assists researchers with finding funding opportunities and promotes/assists faculty with the use of subscription tools such as Pivot.
• Assists Pre award team with the proposal submission process (e.g. PeopleSoft proposal data entry, budget preparation, etc.) as needed.
• Reviews and interprets agency guidelines/terms and conditions, including Federal, State, and Private agencies as well as University internal opportunities. Interprets the guidelines and notifies the Principal Investigator (PI) of any potential conflicts with University guidelines or rules and regulations.
• Responsible for a portfolio of academic units and assists with providing coverage for units when necessary. Manages the post-award management process (through closeout) for small to large research awards to ensure adherence to guidelines and assigned deadlines, which may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub-awards. Assists researchers with interpreting award terms and conditions and facilitates meetings per process and as needed.
• Ensure timely and accurate award setup in PeopleSoft, establishing the project account code within the target timeframe.
• Oversee sub-contractor agreements from initial grant preparation to preparation of sub-contract paperwork once award has been received and making sure all invoices are received and paid in a timely manner.
• Complete effort commitment forms (ATFAR) each period for all assigned faculty to ensure commitments and cost-sharing are tracked as per agency, university and federal regulations.
• Prepares for signature, processes, and centrally tracks amendments, modifications, extensions, and terminations of grants, contracts and sub-awards.
• Determines allocability and allowability of charges; prepares and analyzes financial reports, monitors burn rate, develops financial projections; adjusts and corrects project budgets to meet project goals and federal requirements, provides guidance and oversight to effort management of specified project portfolio.
• Monitor and investigate transactions and expenditures; communicate and coordinate with the research community to solve problems/discrepancies related to budget management, procurement, salary administration, billing and collections, financial reporting, cost-transfers, effort reporting, invoicing, cost sharing, over-expenditures and other post-award research administration issues. Anticipate shortfalls/surpluses and notify PI when there are potential issues.
• Work closely with Compliance Professional to ensure that PIs maintain appropriate approvals from applicable compliance committees (e.g., IACUC, IRB) prior to agreement execution.
• Provides mentoring and coaching to SRS staff and departmental administrators as needed.
• Assists in maintaining current research administration reference, news, and instructional material on the SRS internal website/Bookstack.
• Exercises discretion and manages confidential information effectively.
• Advises and provides subject matter expertise in the input and management of the research administration data within the university information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft Grants Management system, etc). Takes initiative to understand the data and is responsible for consistently inputting and sustaining the quality of the research data that is entered and managed by SRS, including data that flows in and out of the department.
• Assists in identifying need for and/or participates in the revision of policies and work procedures related to research administration. Ensures policies and procedures are compliant with federal and state regulations.
• Assists in support of audits as directed.
• Works closely as a team to provide professional level service to principle investigators across the university. Build relationships and develop shared understandings of roles and responsibilities with departmental administrators, faculty, researchers, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• May lead special projects and/or be responsible for specialized service areas as needed and assist with the implementation of new strategies, services, continuous improvement initiatives, and procedures as appropriate.
• Performs similar duties as assigned or required.
• Must be able to demonstrate experience with confidentiality.

What This Job Offers

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