Pennsylvania State University
Research Operations Specialist - Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
🇺🇸 Hybrid - University Park, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $62K - $90K
💻 Operations
🗓️ November 13th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Research Operations Specialist for the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. This role manages the institute's operating budget, oversees post-award grant management, processes financial transactions, approves purchases and travel expenses, and supports human resources operations within a complex, interdisciplinary research environment.
Highlights
- Manage daily operating budget and post-award grant finances at the unit level.
- Serve as liaison for Finance OST staff to process labor distributions, journal entries, purchasing, and other financial transactions.
- Approve financial transactions under $15,000 in SIMBA and SAP Concur; back up approval for transactions over $15,000.
- Monitor account balances and manage committed funding databases for co-hires, chairs, seed grants, etc.
- Handle supplemental payments, appointments, and HR changes through Workday as the unit approver.
- Prepare routine and ad hoc reports using data from SIMBA and Workday for leadership and stakeholders.
- Provide operational and financial guidance to faculty, staff, and principal investigators.
- Ensure accurate billing for core facility usage with the OSVPR billing team.
- Proficiency preferred in SAP, SIMS, SAP Concur, ServiceNow, Workday, and Adobe Acrobat Sign; strong Excel reporting skills required.
- Requires a Bachelor's Degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination.
- Salary range is $61,800 to $89,600 with competitive benefits including medical, dental, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount.
Research Operations Specialist - Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Join a dynamic team at the forefront of life sciences research and innovation!
The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, one of five large institutes under the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR), is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Operations Specialist to support research operations, specifically related to human resources, finance, and core facilities operations across a diverse and interdisciplinary research and education landscape.
The Huck Institutes supports faculty from across multiple Colleges, hosts more than 30 cross-College Centers and Institutes, supports six interdisciplinary graduate degree programs, supports 11 core facilities that house state of the art instrumentation, and manages research buildings that host collaborative teams of researchers from across the university.
Key Responsibilities include the following:
- Daily management of Huck operating budget and post award management of grants at the unit level.
- Serve as point of contact for Finance OST hub staff as unit level representative to process labor distribution plans, journal entries, travel and expense reconciliation, account and other master data management, Purchasing, non-PO invoice payments and any other financial transactions.
- Approve all financial transactions in SIMBA under $15,000 and approve all goods and services expenses under $15,000 in SAP Concur.
- Approve Travel Reports in SAP Concur
- Serve as back up to approve transactions over $15,000 for the Managing Director.
- Monitor account balances and budget committed funds in institute IOs as needed.
- Manage entries in the commitments and needs database to track committed funding for Huck co-hires, chairs, seed grants, etc…
- Enter supplemental payments and appointments as needed into Workday and approve appointments and HR changes as needed in Workday as the unit level approver.
- Prepare monthly routine and ad hoc reports for the Director and other stakeholders using data from both SIMBA and Workday.
- Serve as point of contact for Huck faculty and staff and PIs for all research operations and financial questions.
- Work with OSVPR central internal/external billing team to ensure monthly core facility usage charges are posted correctly.
Skills and Experience:
- The successful candidate must have experience working with research grants and preferably experience entering and approving transactions in SAP, specifically, labor distribution, purchasing and travel/pcard reconciliation.
- Must be able to multitask and manage a high volume of tasks and requests.
- Ability to understand and interpret university and federal/state funded research policies
- Experience working with large data sets to create reports in excel
- Experience working in SAP, SIMS, SAP Concur, ServiceNow, Workday, Adobe Acrobat Sign is preferred.
Work Arrangement: The Institute is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
acceptedRequired Certifications:None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $61,800.00 - $89,600.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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