Research Administrator/Senior Research Administrator (2 positions) (Hybrid/Remote)

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

 

Job Summary

The Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences (CICS) is searching for a candidate to fill the role of Research Administrator or Senior Research Administrator. The successful candidate will be placed in the position for which they are most qualified.

The Research Administrator is responsible for the full life cycle of quality research administration ranging from proposal development to post award administration, award close-out, and award compliance for a group of Principal Investigators in the Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences.

In addition to the duties above, the Senior Research Administrator also provides regular training and mentorship to other grant and research administrators in the College as well as developing and implementing processes to improve efficiency and support business needs.

 

Essential Functions

Pre-award:

• 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 assigned University faculty and Principal Investigators.
• 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 consistent with applicable requirements. Drafts, writes, and/or edits proposal documents.
• Reviews final proposals and ensures commitments and accountability are in accordance with University and sponsor policies, procedures, and regulations.  Works cooperatively with supervisors, UMass Office of Pre-award Services (OPAS) personnel, various University staff and faculty, and funding agencies.  Prepares and submits timely routing documentation for internal proposal submission approvals. 

Post-Award:

• Manages, advises, reconciles, analyzes, closes out, and reports on spending and budget activity for a number of fund types, including research grants and contracts, gift, general operating, faculty start-up and program income accounts.  Prepares forecasts and makes recommendations on staffing and spending changes to keep projects on track. Advises faculty, researchers and students on purchasing and travel policies. Coordinates and processes payroll actions, travel reimbursements, and purchases and monitors project expenditures. Meets with faculty and reviews travel, deadlines, and new funding sources, adjusting staffing plans as necessary. Manages PI effort commitments and assists with annual effort certification.  Participates in the contract closeout process; compiles information for final reports and certifications.

General:

• Provides professional consultation, management, and staff leadership to faculty investigators.
• May provide initial training to newly hired Research Administrators.
• 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 Investigators and the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) for all pre-award/proposal matters, the Office of Post-Award Management (OPAM) and the Controller's Office for all post-award matters. Is proactive and reactive to problems/concerns and finds appropriate and timely solutions.
• Assists OPAS, OPAM, and the Controller's Office with compliance with federal and private cost and administrative principles (e.g., Uniform Guidance