Department: WCAS Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Associate Research Administrator position will support the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, reporting to the Manager of Research Administration in the Weinberg College Dean's Office. Provides lifecycle pre- & post-award research administration for the department ensuring the fulfillment of all sponsor requirements. Coordinates all aspects of grant &/or contract pre and post-award activities. Ensures that all activities are completed in compliance with associated federal & institutional rules & regulations.

Prior research administration experience is not required. Training will be provided as part of the on-boarding process. The ideal candidate should have strong critical thinking/problem solving skills, solid written and verbal communication, and be composed under deadlines.

The position offers the flexibility of On-Site or Hybrid options. Hybrid can be on-site on the Evanston campus one to two days per week. Join a supportive and collaborative group of research administrators in Weinberg College in advancing the research mission of the University.

Please note:

Supervisor provides objectives, deadlines & specific instructions only for new, difficult, &/or unusual work. Work is reviewed upon completion & only occasionally to verify technical accuracy & compliance with practice, policy, & procedures. EE informs supervisor of on-going progress &/or potentially controversial matters.

EE uses an advanced knowledge of skills, methods & practices & some innovation, analysis, & reasoning to choose appropriate alternatives from among pre-defined policies & procedures to complete work that includes successive steps & involves some non-routine problems &/or decisions.

As time and budget allows:

New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?

Need more "How To:" sessions such as:

Fill out internal & external paperwork

Create & review budget

Review sponsor guidelines

Read a solicitation

Five University Business Processes classes (HR700, HR705, HR715, HR725, HR740)New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?

NU-ORI-Res Dam Training session

SCS course: Grantsmanship for the Research Professional

ASRSP effort reporting 101

NU Financials budget reconciliation and reporting

Audit & Advisory best practices

The Associate Research Administrator/Research Administrator position is a multi-level position. Dependent on the minimum qualifications, this position could be offered at either level

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers entire research projects such as:
• Single Principal Investigator (PI) basic proposals, grants &/or contracts
• May assist with components of multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts

Pre-Award

• Completes pre-award administration of grant &/or contract activities.
• Reviews solicitation & determines necessary components.
• Organizes proposal, renewal and resubmission applications.
• Prepare grant budgets and documents
• Completes entire application for smaller, less-complicated, simple, standard proposals.

Post-Award

• Completes post-award administration of research grants &/or contracts.
• Reviews account establishment and award documents.
• Reviews expenditures with Business Office.
• Tracks formal re-budgeting.
• Provides data needed for the preparation of interim and final financial and technical progress reports.
• Facilitates in account close out activities.
• Monitors projects for under spending and overspending with Business Office.
• Communicates with PI, other unit and project personnel, OSR, ASRSP and/or sponsor accordingly.

Financial

• Reviews transactions and reports issues.

Compliance

• Resolves standard & routine compliance problems & issues involving associated NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Becomes familiar with Federal and institutional regulations
• Alerts supervisor to potential higher risk compliance issues
• Attends required Research Administration trainings and courses to advance systems and business process knowledge.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year financial or administrative support experience in a research environment or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• familiarity with Excel,

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication

This position is full-time and the target hiring range is between $55,128 - $77,525 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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