Research Advancement Specialist - Post-Award

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

6d

About The Position

The Research Advancement Specialist, Post-Award coordinates day-to-day award management for I³R’s sponsored-project portfolio. The position supports award activation and ongoing administration; tracks award requirements and financial status; coordinates re-budgets and no-cost extensions; reviews award and contract details; facilitates sponsor reporting; and serves as a primary liaison among principal investigators (PIs), the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Research Accounting, and other institutional partners. The Specialist helps PIs understand award requirements, identify budget or compliance issues early, and maintain accurate, timely records throughout the project lifecycle.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. The position is renewable annually based on continued need, funding availability, and satisfactory job performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, research administration, higher education administration, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education; applicable equivalencies may be considered.
• At least three years of experience in sponsored programs, grant/contract administration, financial administration, accounting, project management, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with budgets, financial data, reconciliations, or compliance-driven processes and communicating findings to stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of sponsored research administration, sponsor guidelines, institutional policies, and the full sponsored-project lifecycle.
• Ability to interpret complex solicitations, award terms, policies, and financial information and translate requirements into clear guidance for faculty and staff.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project-management, written communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities with accuracy, judgment, discretion, and customer service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools and ability to learn and effectively use institutional research-administration, financial, and sponsor submission systems.
• Ability to analyze award budgets and transactions, identify variances or compliance risks, and communicate corrective actions clearly to PIs and institutional partners.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing active sponsored awards in a higher-education or research environment, including re-budgets, no-cost extensions, reporting, and award reconciliation.
• Experience working with federal, state, foundation, and/or industry awards and institutional financial or sponsored-program systems.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), or demonstrated progress toward a research-administration credential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day award management for I³R’s sponsored-project portfolio.
• Support award activation and ongoing award administration.
• Track award requirements and financial status.
• Coordinate re-budgets and no-cost extensions.
• Review award and contract details.
• Facilitate sponsor reporting.
• Serve as a primary liaison among PIs, OSP, Research Accounting, and other institutional partners.
• Help PIs understand award requirements and identify budget or compliance issues early.
• Maintain accurate, timely records throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance and collegial working relationships.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5% to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

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