About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

About the CIIR

The Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval (CIIR), established in 1992, is one of the leading research groups in the world at the forefront of research in information retrieval (IR), the science behind search engines, applied natural language processing, machine learning for those tasks, and is engaged in groundbreaking industry and government collaborations. The CIIR's (http://ciir.cs.umass.edu) administrative team currently manages 15 industry and federal grant funded projects totaling over $14.5 million.

 

Job Summary

The Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval (CIIR) in the Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences (CICS) is searching for a candidate to fill the role of Research Administrator or Senior Research Administrator. The successful candidate will be placed in the position for which they are most qualified.

The Research Administrator is responsible for the full life cycle of quality research administration ranging from proposal development to post award administration, award close-out, and award compliance for a group of Principal Investigators in the Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences.

In addition to the duties above, the Senior Research Administrator also provides regular training and mentorship to other grant and research administrators in the College as well as developing and implementing processes to improve efficiency and support business needs.

 

Essential Functions

Pre-award:

• Manages the development and internal approval of research and special project proposals and contracts for submission to federal, state, and private funding sources.  Provides expert advice on agency, institutional, and government proposal compliance to assigned University faculty and Principal Investigators.
• Manages the planning and development of grant or contract supported projects and programs.  Provides critical analysis and guidance in the review and interpretation of opportunity announcement documents.  Develops budgets and budget narratives sufficient to support project or program activities and consistent with applicable requirements. Drafts, writes, and/or edits proposal documents.
• Reviews final proposals and ensures commitments and accountability are in accordance with University and sponsor policies, procedures, and regulations.  Works cooperatively with supervisors, UMass Office of Pre-award Services (OPAS) personnel, various University staff and faculty, and funding agencies.  Prepares and submits timely routing documentation for internal proposal submission approvals. 

Post-Award:

• Manages, advises, reconciles, analyzes, closes out, and reports on spending and budget activity for a number of fund types, including research grants and contracts, gift, general operating, faculty start-up and program income accounts.  Prepares forecasts and makes recommendations on staffing and spending changes to keep projects on track. Advises faculty, researchers and students on purchasing and travel policies. Coordinates and processes payroll actions, travel reimbursements, and purchases and monitors project expenditures. Meets with faculty and reviews travel, deadlines, and new funding sources, adjusting staffing plans as necessary. Manages PI effort commitments and assists with annual effort certification.  Participates in the contract closeout process; compiles information for final reports and certifications.

General:

• Provides professional consultation, management, and staff leadership to faculty investigators.
• May provide initial training to newly hired Research Administrators.
• Interprets and applies principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedents or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions, and provide information and advice.
• Acts as the primary liaison between Principal Investigators and the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) for all pre-award/proposal matters, the Office of Post-Award Management (OPAM) and the Controller's Office for all post-award matters. Is proactive and reactive to problems/concerns and finds appropriate and timely solutions.
• Assists OPAS, OPAM, and the Controller's Office with compliance with federal and private cost and administrative principles (e.g., Uniform Guidance); prepares and presents responses to audit findings.

The Senior Research Administrator has the following additional responsibilities:

• Provides ongoing training and mentorship to other Research Administrators. Explains College and University policies, rules, regulations, processes, and procedures. Answers general questions and provide regular guidance and support.
• Standardizes and implements administrative processes for CICS’ grant and research administration team to improve efficiency and support business needs. Provides comprehensive training and ongoing support related to these processes.

 

Other Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet CIIR, College, and/or University business needs.

Other Functions of the Senior Research Administrator:

• May supervise clerks, accountants, or other grant and research administrators.
• May act as the lead on team initiatives and projects.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree and at least three (3) years of grant administration or financial management experience, preferably in sponsored programs and grant management in an academic or equivalent setting, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing budgets, preferably related to sponsored programs.
• Ability to learn program administration guidelines for both federal and non-federal funding agencies.
• Ability to understand and apply university policies and procedures, as well as the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, sub-awards and subcontracts.
• Ability to work independently within the college, and to work as a team member with the OPAS, OPAM and other central administrative units of the University.
• Ability to plan ahead, prioritize, and work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment in which workload ebbs and flows and can require the management of multiple submissions across multiple PIs in a short span of time with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare summary reports as required.
• Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work effectively, prioritize, and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume professional environment.
• Outstanding organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, capable of self direction, ability to deal diplomatically with people at all levels, a high degree of personal integrity and discretion, solid decision-making skills, and judgment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and serve as a liaison between granting agencies, university administration and the principal investigators. 
• Intermediate level of experience with Excel and Word and the willingness to learn new technology. 

The Senior Research Administrator has the following additional minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree with four (4) years of professional experience in sponsored programs and grant management in an academic setting OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification in Research Administration (CRA, CPRA, or CFRA).
• Demonstrated pre- and post-award financial management experience, including proposal development and post-award management. Familiarity and experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements. 
• Knowledge of program administration guidelines for both federal and non-federal funding agencies.
• Expert level of experience with Excel and Word and the willingness to learn new technology. 

 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of regulations pertaining to sponsored programs.
• Experience preparing/submitting scientific research proposals and budgets under tight deadlines.  Proficient with electronic grants management systems (i.e. grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF Research.gov, Proposal Central, etc.) and experience with enterprise research administration systems.
• Ability to interpret and translate programmatic needs into cost effective budget proposals to maximize funding opportunities. Experience managing finances and/or projects with an institution of higher education, including knowledge of government and fund accounting. 
• Experience with Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance Requirements.
• Membership in professional organizations such as SRA and/or NCURA.

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment. 

 

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

 

Salary Information

• Research Administrator: PSU Level 26.
• Senior Research Administrator: PSU Level 27.
• Exempt Hiring Ranges.

 

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

 

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.