Research Administrator, Pre Award, UNLV Sponsored Programs [R0138844]

Overview

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Research Administrator, Pre Award, UNLV Sponsored Programs [R0138844].

UNLV Administration offers eligible employees the opportunity to work remote from home, in the office, and/or on a flexible schedule.

ROLE of the POSITION

The Research Administrator assists faculty members, principal investigators and department grant administrators in the development, preparation, and submission of sponsored proposals for research, service projects, and other creative activities.

• Prepare, review and submit proposals and ensure proposals are complete, in compliance with university and NSHE/UNLV policies, state and federal laws and regulations, and align with the policies, procedures and requirements of sponsoring agencies.
• Assist faculty and staff with the development and review of proposal budgets
• Submit applications through federal and non-federal online submission platforms including NASA, NIH, NSF, DOE, and Grants.gov.
• Submit highly complex proposals to an extensive variety of agencies involving one or more of the following situations: multiple departments; multiple institutions (subawards); institutional cost-sharing; institutional commitment proposals; training grant applications.
• Educate and train faculty and staff on all aspects of proposal development and submission.
• Utilize and become proficient in Cayuse for grant management activities.

Primary Job Duties

• Promotes competitive research and other scholarly activity proposals that comply with agency requirements as well as institutional requirements.
• Provides critical analysis and guidance in the review and interpretation of funding opportunity announcements.
• Answers inquiries that require an explanation of rules, regulations and procedures that require knowledge of the individual program and a high degree of problem-solving, and analytical and creative thinking.
• Responsible for managing a significant volume of proposals.
• Prepares, reviews and educates faculty and staff on detailed proposal budgets.
• Provides proposal component review on budgets, CV/Biosketches, required templates, standard forms, and the narrative to ensure compliance.
• Reviews and endorses completed proposals to ensure use of the correct processes, forms and submission requirements.
• Collaborates with other University groups such as Principal Investigators and study teams, IRB (Office of Research Integrity), Risk Management, sponsors and other relevant offices to ensure that sponsored research projects are managed in an efficient and effective manner consistent with UNLV policies and procedures, and applicable agency guidelines, laws and regulations.
• Serves as a resource on Pre-award activities and overall technical resource to principal investigator and other university staff.
• Maintains standards: budget templates, standardized checklists for core staff and PI’s tailored to the sponsor/mechanism, standardized filing system using shared drives.
• Provides advice to faculty and staff regarding sponsored research administration issues, interpreting a broad range of sponsor policies, government regulations and terms and conditions.
• Assists faculty and staff with registration, affiliations and training on all major submission portals.
• Communicates with extramural agencies on proposal and grant-related matters.
• Works closely with the Grants & Contracts and Financial Research Administrator teams on various issues related to proposals and award management.
• Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.
• Assists in educating faculty, departmental administrators and other staff members in understanding all areas of proposal development and submission including proposal and budget development, and unique sponsor requirements.
• Educates and trains faculty and staff on the use of the Cayuse grants management system.
• Works independently or with others on various projects such as surveys, policy/procedure development, form development, or special reports.
• Participates in and contributes to process improvements.
• Maintains expertise in federal, state and university regulations, policies and procedures.
• Regularly reviews federal sponsor policies and proposal guides and participates in webinars, trainings or conferences to keep updated on ever changing regulatory compliance pertaining to grants and contracts.

KNOWLEDGE

Required

• Knowledge of the functional areas of sponsored program administration (Pre-award through Post-award) and a good general knowledge of the nature of research in all academic disciplines.
• General understanding of the nature and requirements of sponsored project contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, requests for proposals or quotes.
• Understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities.
• Knowledge of major funding sources and their unique policies and procedures.
• Research administration experience in an academic or equivalent setting.
• Possess knowledge of federal procurement regulations, including the CFR & FAR, agency CFR/FAR implementations, and the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and audit regulations (Single Audit) that pertain to institutions of higher education.
• Knowledgeable of sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.

Preferred

• Previous Cayuse experience
• CRA Certification

SKILLS

Required

• Experience working in common federal agency’s grant submission platforms such as NIH (ASSIST, eRA Commons), NSF (Research.gov, Fastlane), DOE (Workspace, Grants.gov), NASA  (NSPIRES).
• Experience with Excel and budget development.
• Demonstrated customer service focus and an ability to communicate verbally and in writing clearly and effectively, presenting ideas, answering questions and documenting activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills.

ABILITIES

Required

• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, and ability to manage stress.
• Ability to handle multiple projects.
• Ability and capacity to work with a high degree of independence within a fast paced environment that is deadline driven and a multi-tasking operating environment.
• Ability to interact and collaborate with multiple constituencies as well as excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies and act independently in a highly complex regulatory/legal/fiscal environment.
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
• Maintain current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
• Requires sound judgment to select the most appropriate and applicable standards by referring to available rules, regulations, policies and manuals and related documents.
• Adaptable to changing environments.
• Ability to learn new software systems and technology skills.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and 1-3 years of experience as a research administrator in a central sponsored programs office. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Research administration experience in a university setting.
• College/Department grant administration experience in addition to central sponsored programs office experience.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credentials.

SALARY RANGE

Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. Salary range $60,000 - $67,000, dependent on experience.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Generous compensation packages, up to 48 days of paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
• Excellent health insurance including medical, dental and vision
• No state income tax
• Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Flexible work schedule (depending on your department)
• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost
• Opportunity for career advancements to leadership roles

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on October 1st, 2023.

Materials should be addressed to Michele Padilla, Search Committee Chair, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or UNLVJobs@unlv.edu.