SENIOR SPONSORED RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute • San Diego, CA

6h • Remote

About The Position

Sanford Burnham Prebys is much more than a research facility and hub for innovation; it’s a vibrant global community of talented scientists and researchers from over 30 countries. This worldwide representation enriches our perspectives and enhances our creative approach to solving complex scientific challenges.

We strive to be leaders not only in biomedical research but also in creating an environment where excellence thrives through collaboration across cultures and backgrounds. Our mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and make breakthrough discoveries that improve human health.

Together, we translate science into health.

The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Position Summary

Play a key role at the center of cutting-edge research. As a Senior Sponsored Research Administrator, you’ll partner closely with faculty to bring innovative ideas to life, guiding proposals from concept to submission and supporting award management every step of the way. If you’re detail-oriented, collaborative, and energized by working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes of groundbreaking research.

Under the direction of the Sponsored Research Office, the Senior Sponsored Research Administrator will perform sponsored project work of considerable difficulty in interfacing with faculty and support staff to develop for submission complex, multi-PI, multi-Institute funding proposals and large-scale contracts to various federal and state agencies, non-federal agencies, and foundations.

In addition, the administrator will help to identify funding opportunities that support SBP’s research goals.

Overall, the administrator is tasked with exhibiting superior grants expertise and a commitment to high- quality customer service and willingness support faculty, department staff and agency sponsors in all matters related to sponsored research.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and three years’ experience in research administration or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained
• Experience with grant preparation/submission processing and a proven success rate of accurate and on-time completion of multiple, concurrent grant submissions
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations of various funding sources
• Professional proficiency with computer applications in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Adobe) and operational knowledge of information dissemination technology such as NSF Fastlane, grants.gov and other sponsor websites
• Professional proficiency with SPB’s financial and research management tools – OneSolution and InfoEd
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible and have strong time management skills
• Able to analyze and resolve issues of moderate complexity
• Possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience/familiarity with scientific research nomenclature is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Coordinates sponsored project budget preparation, proposal production, and proposal submission in complete and final form for review by the manager
• Supports the department’s externally-funded research activities including funding opportunities, proposal development, grant budget creation, investigator Info Ed profile creation, completion of proposal related forms, progress reports submission deadlines, research compliance requirements, subcontracts, renewals, and closeout
• Leads identified faculty participants in coordinating the development of departmental and interdisciplinary research teams and complex, multi-PI, multi-institute proposals
• Identifies prospective funding sources, new funding initiatives and responds to opportunities for supplementary funds to existing projects
• Acts as main point of contact for review of substantive administrative reports and documents prepared by the manager
• Assists faculty and support staff to develop and prepare proposals which includes budgeting and maintaining general familiarity with federal grant and contract regulations, as well as private sponsor and state requirements
• Recommends and monitors compliance with research administration policies and procedures
• Facilitates sponsored research administrative projects and work groups as directed by the manager
• Interacts proactively with support staff for proposal budget development based on complexity of budgets
• Assists faculty to resolve administrative issues related to sponsored projects, such as conflict of interest and scientific overlap, allowability of proposed costs, intellectual property, cost sharing and subcontracting
• Maintains an awareness of Federal Acquisition Requirements (FAR)
• Provides guidance to faculty regarding solicitation guidelines and reviews proposals for conformity with guidelines
• Advises and instructs faculty and support staff with concerns regarding proposal development to assure compliance with appropriate federal, state and Institute policy and regulations, including grant administration grants manship and other related topics
• Provides a supportive environment to assist in increasing the number and frequency of proposal submissions
• Performs outreach activities to cultivate the interests of postdoctoral fellows in the search for financial support
• Analyzes award documents, clauses and applicable regulations and provides advice and counsel to the manager and faculty with respect to applicable regulations and award provisions
• Analyzes the terms, conditions and budget of award documents to identify potential problem areas
• Provides administrative support to investigators when working with sponsors to resolve programmatic and/or science questions or misunderstandings
• Provides administrative support to the manager or if appropriate works independently with sponsors to resolve contractual or commitment concerns and in negotiating problem matters on current awards
• Respond to inquiries from funding agency sponsors regarding actions and decisions and to clarify award terms

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan featuring a generous employer match of $2 for every $1 you contribute, up to 10% of your salary
• Identity theft protection
• Exclusive savings and experiences through employee discount programs like BenefitHub, FunEx, and TicketsAtWork
• Free parking
• 50 electric vehicle charging stations
• Wellness programs and events throughout the year such as flu shot clinics, health fairs, lunch-and-learns, yoga classes, and more

What This Job Offers

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