Research Administrator

Overview

The George Mason University, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is launching a search for two Research Administrators. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Responsibilities:

The Research Administrators will support the Office of the CHHS Associate Dean of Research. They will work with senior level local sponsored research administrators, understand and develop skills related to pre-award activities for a unit within the College of Health and Human Services. 

• Pre-award activities include, but are not limited to, assisting faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals. Ensure all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published timetables and deadlines, including management of the Just-In-Time process. Ensure proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review Confer with PI and Pre-award support staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary sub-awards documents for proposals;
• Assist the PI in the development of budgets and budget justification which includes reviewing budgets for consistency with sponsor, monitoring compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verify all financial information to include application of the appropriate overhead rate for the project;
• Advise the PI on administrative requirements in preparing proposal submissions;
• Coordinate and review certain proposal elements (bio-sketches and facilities & resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness;
• Review proposals for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, page limits excluding narrative content (obtain and review sponsor guidelines);
• Monitor and facilitate proposal process through the routing process in compliance with university procedures and institutional signatures. Obtain signatures as needed;
• Monitor proposal status and advise PI on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols;
• Work effectively with other offices (OSP, Fiscal Services, ORIA, schools, departments, divisions) on research proposal;
• Upon award acceptance, define account establishment parameters, including billing and reporting requirements, budget, and cost sharing obligations.  Set-up award in financial system;
• Distribute award information to PIs, co-PIs and relevant staff;
• Review and reconcile award expenditures and budgets, adjusting, as necessary; 
• Assist in post award functions including managing budget, reporting and compliance timelines through the lifecycle of the grant or contract, and projecting and forecasting future award expenditures;
• Coordinate and submit requests for No Cost Extensions, Carryover, rebudgeting requests, changes in scope, and other changes to the award; ensure all requests are done in compliance with sponsor guidelines and University policies; and
• Assist in transferring awards out of the university. 

 Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 federal rules and regulations / terms and conditions relating to research grant and/or contract activity;
• Understanding of processes, systems and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract proposal submission;
• Proficient use of computers; requires solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); to create high-quality written documents; and
• Excellent customer service orientation; proactively resolve problems and issues in a timely manner.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; any appropriate combination of relevant experience and/or work experience may be considered;
• Experience in Sponsored Programs Administration or related field preferred;
• Certified Research Administrator preferred;
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures relating to grant and contracts activity including the reconciliation process; and
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision in a deadline-oriented environment.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application. Please upload a (1) cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) a list of three professional references with contact information. Also, please include (4) a diversity statement summarizing the extent to which you have worked with any individuals from marginalized groups in a teaching, mentorship or advisory capacity, and how you helped them identify and overcome barriers to success.