Departmental Research Administrator (DRA)

Overview

Portland State University is looking for a Departmental Research Administrator (DRA) in the office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the centralized administrative unit responsible for the oversight and management of external funding received in the form of grants and contracts for research and other scholarly activity.

The Departmental Research Administrator (DRA) serves as a key operational and financial partner to faculty and research teams in the administration and stewardship of sponsored projects. As part of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the DRA supports the post-award management of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects, helping investigators navigate sponsor requirements, manage project resources effectively, and maintain compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory expectations.

The DRA works closely with Principal Investigators, departmental personnel, Proposal Analysts, and other SPA colleagues to support award implementation, financial monitoring, rebudgeting, effort coordination, forecasting, reporting, prior approval requests, and award closeout activities throughout the sponsored project lifecycle. This role helps ensure that sponsored projects remain financially sustainable, operationally effective, and aligned with sponsor and institutional requirements as project needs evolve over time. The DRA may also provide operational or post-award perspective during proposal budgeting and implementation planning to support effective project transitions and long-term award management.

Successful DRAs combine strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, identify potential risks or issues, and provide practical guidance in a dynamic research environment. The position requires independent judgment, collaborative problem solving, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach to supporting research and scholarly activity.  

This position requires a BA/BS with 3+ years of related experience; a Master’s or other advanced degree in a related or relevant field may substitute for years of related experience. The starting annual salary rate for this position will be $64,584, but may be negotiated above this amount, depending upon years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

This position is based at Portland State University’s vibrant urban campus in downtown Portland, where you’ll be part of a welcoming and collaborative community. We offer flexible scheduling options and, when operational needs allow, the possibility of limited remote work (typically up to one day per week) under an approved remote work agreement in line with University policy.

An ideal candidate would have direct experience serving in a similar position at an institution of higher education.

If interested, please apply for Position No. D93231 by following the application instructions at the following link: https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/50198

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.