University of Kentucky
Research Program Administrator
🇺🇸 Lexington, KY
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $57K - $94K
💻 Administrator
🗓️ November 17th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, FAQs, and best practice guidance for OSPA staff.
- Oversee compliance frameworks for OSPA operational procedures and handbooks.
- Lead evaluations of inefficient or duplicative processes concerning university policies and sponsor regulations.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on OSPA operations and troubleshoot process-related issues.
- Utilize systems including Outlook inboxes and the OSPA database.
- Required education: Master's degree (MA) or equivalent experience with four years related experience.
- Salary range: $57,158 - $94,286 per year.
- Reports to the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration, managing grants totaling over $480 million.
- Position is full-time, staff level, with weekday daytime hours (8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST).
- Role requires prolonged computer use and emphasizes independent work and collaborative environment fostering.
Research Program Administrator Full Description
Requisition Number | RE52315
Working Title | Principal Research Training, Operations, and Compliance Specialist
Department Name | 40130:Sponsored Projects Administration
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 47
Salary Range | $57,158-94,286/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 4 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None.
Physical Requirements | Sitting for long periods of time; and repetitive motion related to computer work.
Shift | Monday-Friday; 8:00 am EST – 5:00 pm EST.
Job Summary | The Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA) is seeking a Principal Research Training, Operations, and Compliance Specialist.
This position will play a key role in operations analysis and compliance. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, … develop standard operating procedures, FAQs for best practices, and provide guidance to OSPA RA and AA staff on those practices oversee compliance framework for OSPA operating procedures (AA and operations handbook) and develop and maintain standard operation processes and guides (RA staff handbook) lead strategic evaluations of duplicative, inefficient, or outdated processes, involving university policies, a variety of sponsor regulations, policies, and guidelines as they relate to grants administration, OSPA systems (Outlook inboxes, OSPA database, or other systems) and OSPA Research Administrator processes serve as a subject matter expert for OSPA operation processes and be able to solicit input from staff and troubleshoot issues, focused on problem solving and finding solutions
The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while fostering a collaborative environment.
The University of Kentucky uses equivalencies in determining if a potential applicant meets the minimum education and experience. Related experience can be substituted for education. Click here for more information about equivalencies: http://www.uky.edu/hr/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
The Department
OSPA is responsible for administering over $480 million in extramural grants and contracts awarded through the University of Kentucky Research Foundation. Services are available to all University faculty and staff and include: advice and assistance with budget preparation and other administrative requirements of proposals; proposal submission; review, negotiation and acceptance of awards; interpretation and information regarding sponsor policies and regulations; preparation of subcontract documents; administration of UK’s Conflict of Interest Policy. More information about the department can be found at: https://www.research.uky.edu/office-sponsored-projects-administration
UK Benefits
The University of Kentucky is proud to offer a benefits package that helps us recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. In addition to your take-home pay, your benefits package is a major component of your total compensation at UK. These benefits include our 200 percent match on eligible retirement contributions; competitive health, dental, and vision coverage; tuition benefits for classes at UK, and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities |
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | No
Preferred Education/Experience |
Deadline to Apply | 11/23/2025
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
- * Please describe a situation that required you to use your problem solving skills and share how you resolved the problem.
(Open Ended Question) - * Please describe your experience providing customer service in a fast paced work environment.
(Open Ended Question) - * Describe a situation where you had to multitask and how you handled the situation.
(Open Ended Question)
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
- © University of Kentucky
- Lexington, Kentucky 40506
- An Equal Opportunity University
- Accreditation
- Directory
- Privacy Policy
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