Open Rank: Research Services

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is a research-intensive department within the CU School of Medicine, home to 20 faculty investigators and an active portfolio of federally and privately funded research. We are seeking to hire an open-rank Post Award Specialist (Entry to Senior level) to provide high-level research administration support to the department. This position manages contracts and grants administration, regulatory compliance, sponsor communication, and post-award financial management, including human subject and research animal compliance oversight. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the Department Chair, and department faculty — serving as a trusted financial partner who helps faculty translate their research goals into well-managed, compliant, and efficiently run sponsored projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field.
One (1) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Intermediate level).
Two years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Senior level).
A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Ability to manage, analyze, and forecast complex sponsored project finances using Microsoft Excel
Outstanding customer service skills.
Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and the ability to create and maintain complex financial spreadsheets for grants management and forecasting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, public administration, or closely related area
Demonstrated experience with post ‑ award grants management, including financial oversight, reconciliations, projections, and award closeout.
Demonstrated experience managing federal sponsored awards (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD), including knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor ‑ specific policies.
Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including independent use of formulas, pivot tables, and complex spreadsheets for financial analysis and reporting.
Experience working independently in a compliance ‑ driven environment requiring judgment, accuracy, and accountability.
Experience working in an academic, medical, or research institution
Advanced experience with post ‑ award financial analysis, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost transfers, and compliance monitoring.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide guidance to faculty and leadership on post ‑ award matters.
Experience with PeopleSoft Finance, InfoEd or other grants management system
Experience with NIH eRA Commons, and xTrain
Experience with financial report management system
Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research administration, grants management, finance, or a closely related area (for Senior Professionals).

Responsibilities

Activate Grant Accounts
Contract and Subcontract Administration
Reconcile grant, AEF and gift accounts on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions for appropriateness
Provide monthly financial projections to PIs and the Director of Finance and Administration on all sponsored programs and start-up accounts
Process grant account close-outs