Pre-Award Research Administrator - College of Education, Health, And Human Sciences - UTK

This position will support the pre-award administration and the strategic efforts of the Office of Research and External Funding led by the Director of External Funding. The position will provide a central infrastructure to support external funding for faculty and centers. The position is on a team that supports pre-award operations of approximately 172 TT and NTT faculty and service center directors and staff. This position will assist all administrative functions of this office which includes but not limited to: scheduling of meetings, office communications, data management and processing, database oversight/upkeep, pre-award research development, and liaise with Division of Research Administration.

PROPOSAL MANAGEMENT

Work with faculty and center directors to: 

• identify funding opportunities for faculty, as possible;

• assist faculty in interpretation of grant guidelines;

• provides overall planning and coordination of available resources, tasks, and necessary steps to complete grant submission and other research support tasks within a specified time frame;

• assist in development of accurate budgets for proposals, often by recommending appropriate grant funds allocation based on Sponsor budget as well as UT internal accounting codes and fiscal policy; and, 

• Initiates correspondence to grant personnel, outside agencies, departments and University officials related to grant submissions.

* Reads and interprets agency guidelines to create templates, checklists, and proposal form requirements;

*Other research administration duties as assigned by ADR, and Director as needed and upon request.

RESEARCH/AWARD MANAGEMENT

• Provide training to designated support personnel in each department and interested faculty on various electronic systems in place related to grant submission, project reporting, and financial compliance.

• Ascertain that any intellectual property provisions are submitted to UTRF for review and approval. 

• Query research data for monthly accolades and College level reporting needs.

• Coordinate with Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development to keep CEHHS faculty and staff up-to-date on UT and sponsor policies and procedures related to external funding. Ensure that all university, state, federal, etc., policies, procedures, and guidelines are adhered to both pre- and post-award. 

• Monitor and evaluate research activities and services for research and fiscal compliance.

OVERSIGHT and ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

• Front line service and office support specialist in a deadline-driven and customer service environment

• Review and approve proposal submission in the internal routing system for the College

• Assist Director for External Funding in establishing additional support services and trainings as needed to advise and assist in growing the scholarship for CEHHS

• Manages all research workshop registrations for the office

• Serves as backup for the Director

MARKETING and DATA MANAGEMENT

• Assist with design and coordination of the office marketing materials, as needed

• Evaluate funding opportunity announcements and disseminate announcements to appropriate target groups 

• Create and maintain distribution lists for the purpose of efficient information dissemination

• Input and evaluate all monthly, quarterly and annual research-related data for annual evaluation of progress of Office of Research and External Funding related goals and objectives on College strategic plan.

Required Qualifications 

• Education: 

  • Bachelor's Degree

• Experience: 

  • 3-5 years experience with grants and contracts in a university setting; knowledge of research methodology and compliance

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

  • Ability to interpret and disseminate complex information and excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

  • Strong administrative, financial, administrative, and customer service skills

  • Knowledge of university, state, and federal policies and procedures related to external funding

  • Knowledge of and ability to interpret specific sponsors' and funders' policies and procedures related to proposal preparation and grant management

  • Ability to maintain a strong customer service environment and remain calm and patient 

  • Must have extensive communication, organizational, and analytical skills as well as demonstrated ability to conduct effective training sessions in a large group or individually

  • Familiarity with pre- and post-award practices/policy including ledgers, budget posting and reconciliation, fiscal and HR policy and how they apply to sponsored project compliance in a higher education environment

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Professional, Cayuse, IRIS/SAP, all web interfaces, and Windows and MAC operating systems

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Education: 

  • Master’s Degree

  • Certified Research Administrator and/or SPA Certification; Communications & Customer Relations certification

• Experience: 

  • Knowledge of the types of grants and contracts processed for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

  • Knowledge of research administration and development of best practices in higher education

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of university, state, and federal policies and procedures related to external funding.

  • Knowledge of specific sponsors' and funders' policies and procedures related to proposal preparation and grant management.

  • Ability to work with MS office, especially Excel; ability to work with various grant submission softwares.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Cayuse, IRIS/SAP, all web interfaces, and Windows and MAC operating systems

  • Ability to perform excellent internet research on multiple web interfaces.

Work Location 

• Remote

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: MR11

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter