Job no: 510925
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Post-Award Management
Union: PSU
Categories: Laboratory & Research

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 Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than more than 30,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $200 million in 2021.

Job Summary

The Office of Post-Award Management has two vacancies that may be filled as a Research Administrator or Senior Research Administrator. The successful candidate(s) will be placed into the position they are most qualified for.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director for the Office of Post-Award Management (OPAM),the Administrator reviews, negotiates, and finalizes for acceptance by the Authorized Representative, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for research, instruction, and other public service funding received by the University from international, federal, state, and local government sponsors as well as private for-profit and not-for-profit sponsors, including business, industry, associations, and foundations. Reviews, negotiates and recommends approval of contracts, cooperative agreements and subcontracts for sponsored research and other activities. Provides administrative oversight of sponsored projects to minimize the University’s compliance risk related to sponsored activities. Keeps abreast of new developments in federal regulations, policies, and procedures in order to serve as an up-to-date source of information and guidance for the research community.

Senior Research Administrator:

Additionally, the Senior Research Administrator would be responsible for approving, accepting, and uploading unilateral grants into the financial system for research, instruction, and other public service funding received by the University.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid or remote work schedule. 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.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for independently conducting a thorough review and assessment of grant/contract terms and conditions, as well as applicable sponsor policies and pertinent laws and regulations. Prepares formal recommendation of acceptance/approval for signature by a University Authorized Representative. Reads and analyzes legal agreements; recognizes unacceptable contract language. Recommends acceptance of bilaterally executed agreements requiring legally authorized signatory. Prepares risk assessments based on terms and conditions and ensures that entering into an agreement does not place the University at an unreasonable legal risk or in violation or conflict with University policy, federal regulation or Commonwealth law. Independently negotiates award terms and conditions directly with the sponsoring agency representative or legal counsel to achieve the best contractual relationship for the University.
• Responsible for assuring that all compliance approvals have been obtained by the appropriate University regulatory committees (e.g., Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) prior to the release of award to the Controller’s Office for expenditure.
• Reviews and recommends pre-award requests for advance spending. Monitors the status of existing pre-award account set-ups and follows up with sponsor to insure the award gets issued within a timely manner after.
• Coordinates award set-up efforts to ensure that awards are being processed in a timely manner. Accountability for documenting any special reviews by other University offices such as the Technology Transfer Office, the General Counsel’s Office, Risk Management, etc., and for implementing/incorporating the results of the special review. Advises faculty and research administration staff regarding the obligations, risks and financial liabilities incurred as a result of the award terms; interprets applicability of complex legal terms to operational research activities. Responsible for the accurate input of award data and detailed budget information into electronic system for upload into the University’s accounting system. Interacts with various sponsor electronic portals for the retrieval and administration of post-award activities, interim reports, and close-out documents.
• Finalizes awards, drafts and negotiates subcontract agreements, ensuring that all terms and conditions of the prime agreement are passed down to the subcontracting agency and that all required documentation, assurances, and compliance concerns are addressed. Responsible for evaluating post-award activity that deviates from initial proposal. Approves re-budgeting requests, major equipment purchases, and alterations in personnel activities for referral to the sponsoring agency for action. Independently advises and guides faculty, staff, and the Controller’s Office on post-award activities; interprets and implements research administration guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Responsible and accountable for legal documentation representing the public record relating to sponsored research funding. Represents OPAM as a research contracting expert on various working groups and committees (e.g., Research Business Managers Network activities). Responsible for evaluation and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidance (e.g., website communications) with regard to grant funded activities.
• Serves as liaison and resource expert to faculty, staff, and the Controller’s Office for questions on post-award activities; provides interpretation and implementation of award terms, policies, procedures and regulations.
• Participates in the development of and delivery of workshops, trainings and web resources related to proper stewardship of sponsored project funding and other post-award topics.

Senior Research Administrator has the following additional responsibilities:

• Responsible for reviewing and negotiating complex grants and contracts, including international transactions, for compliance with State Law, federal regulations, sponsor policies and University policies, working independently with minimal supervision needed.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to less experienced research administrators within the office and in departmental units; assigned as team lead in areas relating to contract expertise for special projects and business process improvements.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
• Provides functional supervision of the University research community with regard to compliance issues.

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

• Bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience in a business or administrative setting dealing with proposal/award review and administration; or, an equivalent combination of education, experience and training totaling 6 years directly related to research administration or grant/contract administration with major sponsors such as Department of Defense, NSF, NIH, USDA and/or industry contracting.
• Previous experience in an institution of higher education
• Extensive knowledge of compliance issues and federal regulations such as -The Uniform Guidance 2, CFR 200, A-133 or Single Audit, and Cost Accounting Standards coupled with a thorough understanding of the various sponsoring agencies' regulations.
• Previous experience directly negotiating contracts and/or grants. Demonstrated proficiency and accuracy in Award Processing.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to effectively coordinate and provide training and educational opportunities to the campus community.
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey information, provide guidance and when dealing with a difficult situation to mediate an equitable solution.
• Well-developed writing skills.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, establish effective working relationships, and maintain a high degree of professionalism when working with staff and faculty across campus, as well as sponsor representatives.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively with various computer systems and on-line submission portals required.
• Demonstrated ability to work under the constraint of deadlines, demonstrated ability to prioritize workload effectively to meet deadlines and assure timely processing of awards.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FARS), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS), and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEARS).
• Successful contract negotiation experience.

Senior Research Administrator has the following additional minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of experience in a business or administrative setting dealing with proposal/award review and administration; or, an equivalent combination of education, experience and training totaling 7 years directly related to research administration or grant/contract administration with major sponsors such as Department of Defense, NSF, NIH, USDA and/or industry contracting.
• Certified Research Administration certification is required (or obtained within 2 years)
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FARS), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARS), and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEARS)
• Successful contract negotiation experience

Additional Details

May be required to work some nights & weekends.

Work Schedule

M-F 8:30-5:00

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid or remote work schedule. Robust and reliable interview access is necessary for remote work. 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

PSU Salary Chart

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required application materials include: a cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Position may remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information 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 the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 14 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: