Knight Campus Pre-award Research Administration Coordinator 2/ Senior

University of Oregon•Eugene, OR

1d•$63,000 - $82,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and communicative individual to provide high-level research administration support for its research portfolio. This position, which can be filled at either the Research Administration Coordinator (RAC) 2 or Senior Research Administration Coordinator (Senior RAC) level, will primarily support pre-award activities for up to 15 principal investigators (PIs). The RAC will manage the pre-award process, including establishing internal deadlines, monitoring proposal progress, reviewing sponsor guidelines, ensuring compliance, preparing documentation, developing budgets, proofreading, and coordinating final submissions. The role also involves generating activity reports and serving as a resource for compliance and budget questions. The position interacts with external sponsors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative leaders. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Research Administration, the RAC is crucial to supporting the Knight Campus's research enterprise and innovation goals. This position offers flexibility with a hybrid or remote work environment. The Senior RAC will additionally provide leadership in research administration, contribute to strategic goals and operational best practices, exercise independent judgment, and may supervise or mentor colleagues. The Senior RAC will also lead the development and implementation of new pre-award workflows and processes.

Requirements

RAC 2: Bachelor's degree AND at least two years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, administration of sponsored programs, and/or writing grant proposals. Two additional years of relevant work experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.
RAC 2: One year of experience in developing, editing, and reviewing proposals, budgets, grants, and/or contracts for adherence to state and federal regulations.
RAC 2: Six months’ experience in an environment working with governmental and granting agency regulations pertaining to grants and contracts.
RAC 2: Experience with proposal routing and submission systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, ASSIST, SciENcv, or comparable platforms.
Senior RAC: Bachelor's degree AND four years of progressively responsible experience in research administration or administration of sponsored programs in an institution of higher education or similar major research institution.
Senior RAC: Two years of this experience must include management of pre-award administration for NIH, NSF and/or DOD grants with knowledge of governmental and granting agency regulations pertaining to grants and contracts OR Eight years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and training.
Senior RAC: Experience with proposal routing and submission systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, ASSIST, SciENcv, or comparable platforms.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with overlapping deadlines and frequent interruptions while maintaining a high level of customer service and professionalism.
Strong organizational and analytical skills with close attention to detail.
Effective customer service and communication skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Advanced knowledge and demonstrated ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements, including federal regulations, Uniform Guidance, federal cost accounting standards, and other administrative rules (Senior Level).
Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, interpret, and explain complex university, sponsor, and government policies, rules, regulations, and requirements (Senior Level).

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in research administration (e.g., C.R.A.) and/or a bachelor's or advanced degree in research administration, business administration, management, public administration, or a closely related field (Both RAC levels).
One or more years of project management experience related to research or grant administration in higher education, research organizations, or a related environment (Both RAC levels).
Experience with budget and financial management (Both RAC levels).
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and other software programs, including HRIS/FIS platforms and databases (Both RAC levels).
Master's degree in research administration, business administration, management, public administration, or a closely related field (Senior Level).
Experience with research compliance (Senior Level).
Experience with complex research or grant administration in higher education, including foundation awards and non-standard sponsored awards (Senior Level).
Experience using additional software and tools, including Ad (Senior Level).

Responsibilities

Proactively manages the pre-award process for assigned PIs.
Establishes internal deadlines and monitors progress toward proposal completion.
Reviews sponsor guidelines and ensures compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
Prepares supporting documentation and develops proposal budgets.
Proofreads submission materials and coordinates final proposal submissions.
Generates activity and productivity reports.
Serves as a resource on compliance and budget-related questions.
Regularly interacts with external sponsors and partners, faculty, staff, students, and administrative leaders.
Provides leadership in research administration (Senior RAC).
Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic goals, standard operating procedures, and operational best practices (Senior RAC).
Exercises a high degree of independent judgment in research administration matters (Senior RAC).
May provide supervision, mentorship, and consultation to colleagues (Senior RAC).
Leads the development, testing, and implementation of new pre-award workflows, processes, policies, and protocols (Senior RAC).