Associate Research Administrator (SPARC - Hybrid Schedule)

Department: MED-Office for Research (SPARC)
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Associate Research Administrator provides administrative assistance and routine problem solving in support of the Sponsored Project and Research Catalyst's (SPARC) research programs and mission as a shared service model within NUFSM.

Provides administrative assistance and routine problem-solving in support of the unit's research programs and mission. Assistance may include the preparation &/or submission of routine research proposals, grants &/or contracts according to standard practice &/or general instruction. May assist with &/or complete proposal submissions, prepare information used in grant budgets, process and project financial transactions, &/or effort reporting activities.

Please note:

Supervisor provides objectives, deadlines & specific instructions only for new, difficult, &/or unusual work. Work is reviewed upon completion & only occasionally to verify technical accuracy & compliance with practice, policy, & procedures. EE informs supervisor of on-going progress &/or potentially controversial matters.

EE uses an advanced knowledge of skills, methods & practices & some innovation, analysis, & reasoning to choose appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies & procedures to complete work that includes successive steps & involves some non-routine problems &/or decisions.

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers entire research projects such as:
• Single Principal Investigator (PI) basic proposals, grants &/or contracts
• May assist with components of multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
• NIH RO1-approximately $250K/yr. over 5 yrs.
• NIH R21-approximately $150K/yr. over 2 yrs.
• Foundation grants
• NSF grants
• Fellowships

Pre-Award

• Completes pre-award administration of grant &/or contract activities.
• Reviews solicitation & determines necessary components.
• Organizes proposal, renewal and resubmission applications.
• Completes NU OSR forms.
• Completes entire application for smaller, less-complicated, simple, standard proposals.

Post-Award

• Completes post-award administration of research grants &/or contracts.
• Reviews account establishment.
• Reviews expenditures.
• Tracks formal re-budgeting.
• Coordinates core resource account setup and maintenance.
• Provides data needed for the preparation of interim and final financial and technical progress reports.
• Participates in account close out activities.
• Monitors project under spending and overspending.
• Communicates with PI, other unit and project personnel, OSR, ASRSP and/or sponsor accordingly.

Financial

• Reviews &/or approves transactions.
• Reconciles standard budget & payroll information ensuring that appropriate sponsored accounts are charged.
• Prepares payroll journals to enter or correct funding of salary from sponsored projects.
• Prepares and coordinates signatures on 90 day letters required when transactions are not timely.

Human Resources

• Processes paperwork associated with hiring & termination of employees and orient new employees.

Compliance

• Resolves standard & routine compliance problems & issues involving associated NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Becomes familiar with regulations involving research safety, animal subjects and human subjects.
• Alerts supervisor to potential higher risk compliance issues including research safety, animal subjects and human subjects.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 1 year financial or administrative support experience in a research environment or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented

• Multi-tasking, communication

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $56,780 to $81,405 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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