Post-Award Research Administrator (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format, to avoid any formatting issues.

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Position Summary:

The Wiess School of Natural Sciences Dean's Office is seeking a Post-Award Research Administrator to play a vital role in supporting the school's research endeavors by managing the financial and administrative aspects of post-award grants, contracts, and endowments. This position requires independent, in-depth analysis and financial management to ensure the successful execution of research projects. Acting as a liaison between principal investigators (PIs), central administration, and funding agencies, the administrator will oversee complex, multi-investigator grants. The role also involves providing strategic guidance to departments, institutes, centers, and project PIs on research administration and compliance matters. Over time, the administrator may train others on specific financial processes.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a passionate, detail-oriented professional with experience in post-award grant and contract administration. You are skilled in financial management, expert analysis, and ensuring seamless project execution. As a liaison between PIs, administration, and funding agencies, you navigate complex, multi-investigator grants and provide valuable guidance on research administration and compliance. With strong organizational and analytical skills, you're committed to advancing research and excited to help train others. Join the Wiess School of Natural Sciences to support transformative research and make a meaningful impact.

Workplace Requirements:

This is an exempt (salaried) position under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime. The position entails work on Rice University's campus, with the potential for some remote work/flexible work arrangements. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range : $84,400 - $92,500 annually. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 4 years of related experience

Skills:

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and database software programs
• Extensive knowledge of research administration guidelines, policies, and regulations
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills and detailed oriented
• Excellent analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferences:

• Experience working in a higher education institution

Essential Functions:

• Manages post-award administration for a portfolio of large, complex grants, contracts, expenditures on endowments, and other faculty funds
• Resolves complex matters and, as necessary, communicates to the administrators or other key person
• Serves in an advisory capacity to senior leadership, faculty, staff, and administrators
• Prepares annual and sponsor reports, including progress reports and routine financial reports; reviews reports and submits to sponsor
• Interprets award documents. Coordinates and reviews account setup
• Reviews, tracks, monitors, and approves expenditures, including high-value / high-risk expenditures
• Manages expense records and monitors budgets
• Manages effort commitments of key project personnel
• Advises PI of over-/under-spending. Generates and monitors projections
• Monitors and tracks all cost-sharing commitments, monitors compliance
• Works with faculty to ensure all charges are allocated properly
• Identifies the need for and requests no-cost extensions
• Coordinates with accounting to respond to audit inquiries
• Establishes procedures at the unit or school level related to post-award administration
• Participates in account close-out activities, coordinates with RCA to conduct close-out analysis
• Serves as a liaison with OSR, RCA, IRB, IACUC, OTT, internal audit, funding agencies and organizations, subcontractors, institutes, centers, and other departments
• Provides training for staff on post-award activities
• Oversees or coordinates the annual financial conflict of interest disclosure process
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Monitors and approves summer salary request
• Monitors and approves academic year time request

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.