Research Administrative Specialist (Internal Opportunity Only)

University of Massachusetts Lowell•Lowell, MA

About The Position

This position supports the day-to-day post-award and limited pre-award research administration of grants and contracts for faculty researchers across the campus. This position will assist researchers with routine proposal preparation, award administration, and sponsor-funded financial and administrative transactions, and will directly liaise with Grants and Contract Administrators and Financial Research Administrators.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree plus one year of direct research administration experience, or two years of indirect experience supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, budgeting, finance, procurement, payroll, or other related university research support functions.
Working knowledge of research administration fundamentals and familiarity with Uniform Guidance.
Demonstrated experience with financial or administrative transactions (e.g. budgets, purchasing, accounts payable, travel, payroll, and accounting).
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
Will consider applicants with an associate’s degree plus three years of relevant experience, or a high school diploma or GED equivalent plus five years of directly related experience.
Given the nature and responsibilities of the position, only U.S. persons (any individual who is a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident alien of the United States, or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b(a)(3)) will be considered for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PeopleSoft and Summit financial systems preferred
Experience in post-award and/or pre-award research administration in a higher education setting preferred
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure of deadlines
Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills to interact with faculty, staff, and individuals outside the university
Ability to work with little direct supervision

Responsibilities

Assist faculty with the preparation of routine proposals for submission to OSP Grants and Contracts Administration.
Liaise with GCA on revisions and action items required prior to approval and submission by OSP.
Reviewing and interpreting proposal guidelines.
Advising faculty on standard sponsor policies and internal requirements.
Checking proposals for completeness and basic compliance with university and sponsor regulations.
Preparing draft budgets using established university and sponsor policies and rates.
Helping faculty assemble standard supplemental content such as bio-sketches, current and pending support, facilities descriptions, and other administrative attachments.
Serving as a resource for PIs on RES and other proposal and grant management tools.
Provide primary post-award administrative support to faculty and staff for sponsored awards and contracts.
Helping PIs determine allowability and availability of funds for routine post-award activities.
Initiating and tracking requests for cost transfers, additional compensation, hiring/personnel action forms, payroll updates, and other award-related transactions.
Monitoring award activity and assisting PIs with post-award requirements such as reports, closeouts, re-budgets, no-cost extension requests, and other routine sponsor actions.
Identifying potential overruns, administrative issues, or compliance concerns on sponsored projects and escalating as appropriate.
Assisting PIs in completing time and effort cards and serving as a point of contact/liaison for time and effort reporting in the college.
Supporting payroll, postdoc, and student contract administration for sponsored projects.
Submit as assigned purchase requests in BuyWays.
Upload travel and reimbursement documentation to Concur.
Assist faculty and staff with purchasing, accounts payable, and bid execution (sourcing) in coordination with the Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST).
Train PIs on entering information into university systems as needed.