Pre-Award Specialist

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:Academic Staff

Employment Type:Regular

Job Profile:Pre-Award SPGC Spec(Dept/Cent)

Job Summary:

Join a dynamic, research‑driven team advancing the future of imaging science at UW–Madison! The Department of Radiology in the School of Medicine and Public Health is seeking a highly motivated professional to support our expanding research enterprise. Reporting to the Grants and Contracts Manager, this position plays a key role in enabling innovative, collaborative research funded by federal and private sponsors and developed in partnership with leading industry collaborators.

In this role, you will work closely with the Medical Imaging and Research Support team (MIRS), investigators across Radiology and partnering departments, as well as the SMPH Dean’s Office and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. You will be responsible for a range of pre‑award research administration activities—including preparing and submitting proposals, developing budgets, reviewing and coordinating contract negotiations, managing subcontract and consultant agreements, and preparing departmental grant activity reports. You will also contribute to the financial integrity of research operations at the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR), supporting accurate billing processes and helping ensure compliance with sponsor and federal requirements.

If you’re looking to grow professionally in a collaborative environment where administrative expertise directly supports scientific discovery—and to do so in Madison, one of the nation’s best places to live—this role offers a meaningful opportunity to help propel innovation in medical imaging.

Additional Job Details:

• This position is primarily remote, with occasional on‑site meetings as requested by leadership.
• The successful candidate will possess and/or demonstrate the following: Ability to build and maintain professional relationships; Ability to work independently and research questions to find answers; Willingness to follow written and verbal instructions; Ability to communicate professionally and effectively via phone calls, virtual meetings, and email.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Prepares and routes proposals, award documents, and sponsored project agreements according to established policies and procedures while adhering closely to deadlines
• Reviews proposal budgets and ensures allowability and accuracy of requested costs per sponsor and campus guidelines
• May work with campus partners to establish new accounts in the financial accounting system
• May identify funding opportunities and disseminate to principal investigators

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Radiology, Grants Administration

Join UW Radiology and UW Health—A Legacy of Innovation

The University of Wisconsin Department of Radiology, in partnership with UW Health, has been at the forefront of clinical care, imaging research, and education for nearly a century. Since its inception on May 18, 1927—when Dr. Ernst Pohle was appointed as the first professor of Radiology—the department has grown to more than 160 faculty members across 14 specialized sections, serving as a key pillar of UW Health’s world-class medical enterprise.

What Sets Us Apart

• Collaborative Excellence: Strong partnerships with UW Health, Medical Physics, and leading equipment vendors drive continuous advancements in imaging.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: We utilize state-of-the-art imaging in CT, MR, PET/CT, PET/MR, angiography, ultrasound, PACS, and AI-driven medical imaging.
• Robust Research Infrastructure: Dedicated support for grant writing, media specialists, research nurses, technologists, and data managers enhance investigative success.
• Premier Imaging Facilities: The WIMR Imaging Sciences Center offers 60,000 square feet of advanced imaging space, including MRI, PET/MRI, PET/CT, CT, ultrasound, angiography, cyclotron, radiopharmaceutical production and comprehensive small animal imaging technologies.

Together, UW Radiology and UW Health are committed to advancing human health through groundbreaking clinical care, pioneering research, and excellence in education. We foster a respectful, adaptive, and accountable environment—one that prioritizes innovation while serving the needs of all patients, including underserved populations.

Visit our official website to learn more about our work and opportunities.

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $63,000; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with contractual agreements and/or accounting/financial systems.
• Experience with federal and non-federal payors/sponsors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a healthcare and/or higher education environment.
• At least 1 year of substantial involvement in research and sponsored programs working with pre-award grant administration, including electronic grant submissions, and reporting.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

How to Apply:

For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.

To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under . You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

• Cover letter required
• Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.