"Research Administrator - Post-Award"

Advertising Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

https://vcujobs.com/why-richmond

Unit

School Of Medicine MBU

Department

Neurology

Duties & Responsibilities

As a member of the VCU Department of Neurology research administration team, the Research Administrator provides comprehensive administrative support for investigators conducting medical research across the department and affiliated centers. This position focuses primarily on post-award management, ensuring compliance, fiscal oversight, and efficient coordination of sponsored research activities.

The selected candidate will work closely with faculty and staff within the Department of Neurology and the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center, managing the financial and administrative aspects of research projects to support scientific discovery and innovation.

The primary responsibilities for this position include:

• Award Establishment: Work with researchers and VCU offices to ensure awards are set-up appropriately for financial and administrative management
• Financial Management: monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness; prepare financial analysis and projections for researchers to keep them informed and aid in research program decision making.
• Effort Management: work with researchers to ensure accurate effort and payroll allocations to projects
• Post-award actions: facilitate administrative components of progress reporting, amendments, continuations, supplements, and no cost extensions.
• Knowledge of the management of Federal awards on the department and school level
• Work with Clinical and non-Clinical grants; federal and nonfederal sponsors

This position provides an opportunity for candidates with some prior research administration experience to grow those skills in a fast-paced, diverse environment. The position will also present opportunities for career growth in the field for those presenting a willingness to learn, be pro-active, and work collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty and staff across all School of Medicine departments.

This position is eligible for remote work. Candidates living outside the Richmond metro region are encouraged to apply, but may be required to come on-site on occasion (no more than twice annually) for in-service training and professional development activities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 or more years of direct research administration experience; in the areas of proposal development, financial management, effort reporting, and/or post-award management. Additional experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Candidates with 5 or more years of direct research administration experience may be considered for Senior Research Administrator slotting.
• Must have a working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and OMB Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.
• Must be proficient in the following areas: budget development, analyze financial transactions for trends and variances; expense forecasting; creating reports and tracking tools; financial reconciliation.
• Must possess ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms.
• Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, be pro-active in asking questions and seeking guidance when needed.
• Strong problem solving and time management skills are essential, including ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision.
• Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe required.
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic team in a diverse environment required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in administrative and financial management in an academic setting (to include a working knowledge of state/university purchasing, travel, personnel administration policies and procedures) will be preferred.
• Prior management of federal grants from a school or dept level
• Knowledge of Clinical trials and research award management, will be preferred.
• Additionally, general understanding of IRB and IACUC policies pertaining to regulatory requirements in animal and human research is a plus.

Position will remain open until filled.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Salary Range

$57,000 - $85,000, Commensurate with experience

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

No

University Job Title

93421 - Open