Research Administrator

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

23h•Remote

About The Position

Northeastern University's Research Enterprise Services (NU-RES) provides leadership and expertise to faculty, investigators, and college administrators in support of research and sponsored programs at Northeastern University. NU — a dynamic, innovative, and entrepreneurial university with a diverse and growing research portfolio — seeks to hire talented, experienced administrators who are dedicated to supporting investigators in securing and managing their extramurally sponsored activities. The University is committed to hiring and developing personnel who enjoy working in a high-performing culture that rewards excellence. NU-RES supports its team working remotely. Remote locations and work schedules are determined based on operational needs and in consultation with team members, consistent with University policies and guidance. The Research Administrator works in partnership with faculty, principal investigators, and University staff to facilitate the effective preparation and submission of sponsored program proposals and related administrative transactions. As part of the NU-RES Hub shared services model, this role serves as a dedicated resource and primary point of contact for faculty within assigned departments and research units/institutes, providing expert guidance across the pre-award lifecycle.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in research administration in an academic or non-profit setting required
Bachelor's degree preferred
Working knowledge of federal grant regulations and agency-specific requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR §200), FAR, and applicable OMB circulars
Familiarity with funding agency submission systems including Grants.gov, NSF Research.gov / FastLane, and NIH eRA Commons / ASSIST
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly convey regulatory requirements and institutional policies to a diverse research community
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently in a deadline-driven environment with accuracy and professionalism
Sound judgment and capacity to exercise discretion in resolving ambiguity and developing practical, compliant solutions
Commitment to delivering timely, courteous, and high-quality customer service to faculty, staff, and external sponsors
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and research administration systems

Responsibilities

Advise faculty and research staff on federal, state, and private sponsor requirements, agency-specific guidelines, and internal University policies governing proposal submission
Assist in the preparation and review of sponsored project proposals submitted to a wide range of federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, NEH), state and local government agencies, and private foundations
Coordinate and assist in the preparation of proposal components including budgets, budget justifications, personnel documentation, facilities & resources statements, and administrative forms, including uploading materials into sponsor portals (Grants.gov, Research.gov, eRA Commons, etc.) as applicable
Develop and review proposal budgets in collaboration with faculty; ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable funding agency cost principles and University F&A and fringe benefit rates
Solicit and review subaward material as necessary
Review proposal narratives, attachments, and administrative components to ensure conformance with solicitation requirements and sponsor formatting guidelines prior to authorized institutional sign-off via NU-RES Research Administration
Manage proposal routing and internal approval workflows within NU-RES
Maintain organized proposal files and documentation in compliance with institutional records and NU-RES Hub management standards
Proactively communicate proposal status, deadlines, and outstanding requirements to faculty and NU-RES Research Administration
Coordinate the timely response of faculty and NU-RES Research Administration to funding agency requests received after initial proposal submission but prior to award issuance, including: Updated other support documentation, human subjects or vertebrate animals approvals, and biosketches
Work with faculty and, as applicable, NU stakeholder offices (e.g., Research Compliance, IRB, IACUC) to gather, verify, and compile required JIT materials; ensure accuracy and completeness before institutional review and submission
Assist with budget revisions and cost negotiation as necessary
Assist in the review of Notices of Award (NOA) and pre-award account request processes (as applicable) in coordination with NU-RES central offices
Coordinate updated subawardee information as needed
Stay current on federal and funding agency-specific regulations, Uniform Guidance, institutional policies, and emerging trends in research administration
Collaborate with University offices including NU-RES, OGC, CRI, IRB, and IACUC as required
Participate in institutional and professional development activities, including workshops, webinars, and training programs (e.g., NCURA, SRA International)
Contribute to the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures, proposal templates, and guidance resources for the shared services unit
Lead and participate in standing meetings with Hub client leadership
Participate in special projects and cross-functional coverage for the shared services team as assigned
Support continuous quality improvement initiatives within the shared services model to enhance service delivery to the research community
Serve as a source of information on sponsor and University policies and regulations; offer effective analytical and creative problem-solving skills and the ability to manage a high volume of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment