Pre Award Research Administrator - Amherst, United States - University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Verified Company

Amherst, United States

1 week ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Job no: 523776

Work type:
Staff Full Time

Location:
UMass Amherst

Department:
Dean - Engineering

Union:

PSU

Categories:
Research, College of Engineering

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers.

In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Research Support Services, this position strengthens and enhances research in the College of Engineering (CoE) Office of Research Development Services (RDS) and identifies opportunities for expanding funding for ongoing research focuses.

Performs diversified and complex administrative, financial and pre-award tasks for the submission of a high volume of complex and competitive grant proposals (including interdisciplinary research proposals, research center proposals and proposals for single or multiple investigators) in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.

The College of Engineering has five departments, 17 centers and institutes, and more than 150 researcher active faculty and staff.

Essential Functions

Manages the development and internal approval of research and special project proposals and contracts for submission to federal, state and private funding sources. Provides expert advice on agency, institutional and government proposal compliance to university faculty and Principal Investigators as assigned.
Manages the planning and development of grant or contract supported projects and programs. Provides critical analysis and guidance in the review and interpretation of opportunity announcement documents. Develops budgets and budget narratives sufficient to support project or program activities and ensures consistency with applicable requirements. Drafts, writes and edits proposal documents. Reviews final proposals and ensures commitments (both fiscal and technical) and accountability are in accordance with university and sponsor policies, procedures, and regulations. Prepares and submits timely routing documentation for internal proposal submission approvals.
Provides professional consultation, management, and leadership to ensure that faculty investigators have assistance with:
The proposal and budget development process for research proposals and progress reports to improve success rates.
Multidisciplinary submissions and project development.
Systemtosystem proposal development and routing requirements.
Complete, accurate, and competitive proposals.
Obtaining all compliance approvals by the appropriate university regulatory committees (e.g. Institutional Review Board, institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Conflict of Interest).
Interprets and applies principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedents or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions and provide information and advice.
Acts as the primary liaison between Principal Investigator and the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) for all preaward and proposal matters. Works cooperatively with supervisors, university staff and faculty, and funding agencies to address problems or concerns and find appropriate and timely solutions.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Bachelor's degree with 4 years of related experience. One (1) year of relevant experience may be substituted for every one (1) year of required academia.
Demonstrated preaward financial management experience, including proposal development and management.
Familiarity and experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
Knowledge of program administration guidelines for both federal and nonfederal funding agencies.
Ability to work independently within the college, and to work as a team member with other central administrative units of the University.
Ability to plan ahead, prioritize, and work under pressure in a deadlineoriented environment in which workload ebbs and flows and can require the management of multiple submissions across multiple PIs in a short span of time with frequent interruptions.
Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare summary reports as required.
Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.
Ability to work effectively, prioritize, and be flexi