Research Administration Assistant/Grant Coordinator

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values 

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Department Background

CALS Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) assists in the execution of over 1,000 proposals and applications annually which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research. OSR’s mission is to:

1.       Provide pre-award support to principal investigators and supported departments and colleges during the proposal development process from concept to submission.

2.       Build proposal budgets in a format which communicates the costs associated with a project in a clear and uncomplicated manner which address the considerations of post-award accounting practices and policies.

3.       Understand and communicate sponsor, university, college, and department procedures and policies.

4.       Work closely with colleagues at the Cornell Office of Sponsored Programs through the pre-award process; as stewards of initial and revised pre-award budgets, documentation, and correspondence.

Promote proposal award success within CALS and supported departments and colleges.

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.

Under the direction of the Team Lead and Grant and Contract Officers of the CALS Office of Sponsored Research, in collaboration with eligible Principal Investigators (PIs), the Research Administration Assistant provides support for pre-award sponsored projects and other restricted proposal submissions as required.  This position functions within a Grant Proposal Team (GPT) supporting upwards of 20 academic departments that, combined, submits over 1,000 proposals per year.  In collaboration with the Department and PI, ensures that all proposals comply fully with colle