RSS Senior Contract and Grant Analyst

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

About The Position

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu. The School of Medicine (SOM) has a contract/grant portfolio of over $280M from Federal, State, non-profit and private Sponsors for basic and clinical research, clinical trials, training, and public service projects. The Research Support Services (RSS) unit in SOM Deans Office / Finance Division works with SOM departments and units with its Pre-Award support needs, acting as the Pre-Award Contract and Grant Analyst for the department and PI, providing the coordination, preparation, budget development and routing of all SOM/RSS client department proposals for sponsored funding (except for industry initiated/funded clinical trials which are support by the Center for Clinical Research). RSS, under the direction of the SOM Director of Contracts and Grants, oversees the compliance of contracts and grants within the SOM departments and units -this also includes post award compliance monitoring, providing oversight and training to departments/units as needed. The Senior Contract & Grant Analyst provides comprehensive research development services and review of School of Medicine sponsored research applications. The incumbent assists Principal Investigators with all activities related to applications for extramural funding including proposal and budget development and review; clinical trial cost analysis; regulatory procedures and approvals; application of sponsor and campus policies; and serves as a liaison with central administration on behalf of faculty and the School of Medicine. The incumbent also prepares regular and ad-hoc reports to faculty, Chairs, and the Director of Contracts and Grants.

Requirements

Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
Ability to independently manage significant volume of transactions.
Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques
Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor's guidelines.
Knowledge of NIH grant policies governing the conduct of research, proposal submission procedures and management of awards.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
2 years UC research administration experience

Responsibilities

Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and / or oversee the preparation and submission of research proposals (basic and clinical), and other transactions related to contract and grant management, and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research and sponsor policies.
Works in a team environment on proposals and develops proposal budgets of diverse scope where analysis of data requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
Works on complex proposals and pre-award matters that may involve multiple investigators and / or multiple sub awards.
Provides training and/or assistance to School of Medicine faculty or department staff in the preparation of grant proposals, routing procedures, Just-In-Time activities and compliant award management.
Prepares and reviews proposals for Dean’s endorsement, ensuring: 1) proposal content is well articulated and follows agency regulations, as well as University policy and other applicable state and federal laws, 2) the proposal is responsive to sponsor interests and guidelines, 3) budget requests are accurate and appropriate, and 4) the proposal is compliant with CFR and CAS.
Analyzes current School policies and procedures and implements changes for process improvement to meet federal, state and University requirements.
Reviews changes in University, Federal and sponsor policies for applicability to current proposal preparation practices and award administration and disseminating information to the School’s research community and implementing changes to ensure compliance.
Attends appropriate trainings and forums to acquire professional knowledge of laws and regulations governing proposal development and UCI campus procedures.
Miscellaneous contract and grant related Duties/Reports as assigned by School leadership.