Research Administrator (1, 2, or 3) - Engineering

Department: Dean, Engineering
Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description: The Engineering department within Academic Affairs will be hiring a Research Administrator I, II, or III. Performs the more complex pre-award and post-award administration of federal, state, private profit and private non-profit grants and contracts awarded to the University of Houston. Serves as team leader for research administration team for assigned college units.
1. Reviews and submits proposals to external funding sources; initiates the creation of cost centers according to awarded project terms and conditions and modifies cost centers according to revised award notices.
2. Provides guidance and expertise to faculty, department administrators and university executives on a wide variety of grants and contracts issues.
3. Responsible for customer problem review and resolution for research administration team.
4. Develops and implements internal operating procedures for assigned team; coordinates the work activities of assigned team and provides work direction as needed.
5. Maintains web-based proposal submission and research administration using electronic research administration systems.
6. Negotiates the terms and conditions of grants and sub-recipient awards with potential sponsors and awardees and reviews contracts in conjunction with the Research Contracts Officer.
7. Research sponsor's financial and administrative regulations applicable to funded projects.
8. Evaluates expenditure reallocation documents according to federal, state and university guidelines for allowability, appropriateness and timeliness.
9. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description
Research Administrators plays a critical role in supporting the institution's research and sponsored projects by managing all aspects of proposal preparation, pre-award administration, and post-submission Just-in-Time (JIT) activities. This position works collaboratively with faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and external sponsors to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant submission of grant and contract applications, maximizing funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:
•Funding Opportunity Analysis: Proactively interpret complex sponsor guidelines, solicitations, and regulatory requirements (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOD, foundations, industry). Advise Principal Investigators (PIs) and project teams on eligibility, application components, and submission processes.
•Budget Development: Collaborate with PIs to develop detailed and compliant project budgets, including personnel costs, fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, travel, subawards, and indirect costs. Ensure adherence to sponsor and institutional policies regarding allowable costs and F&A (indirect) rates.
•Narrative and Administrative Component Review: Review and provide feedback on administrative sections of proposals (e.g., biosketches, facilities & resources, data management plans, human subjects/animal use sections) for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to sponsor formatting requirements.
•Subaward/Consultant Management: Coordinate with subaward institutions and consultants to obtain necessary documentation (e.g., letters of intent, scopes of work, budgets, budget justifications, institutional approvals) for inclusion in prime proposals.
•Internal Routing & Approvals: Facilitate the internal review and approval process for all proposals, ensuring all necessary institutional clearances (e.g., conflict of interest, compliance with human subjects/animal research protocols, cost-share commitments) are obtained prior to submission.
•Electronic System Submission: Prepare, upload, and submit proposals through various electronic research administration systems (e.g., Grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF FastLane, institutional portals) ensuring all required forms and attachments are accurately completed and submitted by deadlines.
•Compliance Oversight: Ensure all proposals are in full compliance with federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200), state laws, institutional policies, and specific sponsor requirements.
II. Just-in-Time (JIT) & Post-Submission Activities:
•JIT Management: Monitor for and respond promptly to Just-in-Time (JIT) requests from sponsoring agencies (e.g., NIH). Coordinate with PIs and relevant internal offices (e.g., IRB, IACUC) to gather and submit required documentation.
•Revision & Resubmission: Assist PIs with the preparation and submission of revised applications or resubmissions based on sponsor feedback or new requirements.

Preferred Qualifications (for RAs):
• PhD degree in Engineering or Life Sciences.
• Experience in grant writing.
• Familiarity with federal funding agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOD, HRSA).

Experience will be considered in lieu of education. 
Education will be considered in lieu of experience. 

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.

Research Administrator I: Bachelor's and 1 year of experience.
Research Administrator II: Bachelors and 3 years of experience
Research Administrator III: Bachelor's and 5 years of experience

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