Pre-Award Research Administrator

Pre-Award Research Administrator

The George Mason University, College of Humanities and Social Services (CHSS), is launching a search for two Pre-Award Research Administrators. George Mason has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Position:

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is expanding college-based pre-award and post-award research administration services. The Pre-Award Research Administrator will work directly with faculty and staff to support their research, scholarship and creative works beginning with the cultivation of interest in external funding and the identification of funding opportunities, through the development and submission of proposals for external funding. The Pre-Award Research Administrator will work with colleagues to create a smooth transition from pre-award RA to post-award RA, and achieve the college goal of providing high-quality services throughout the sponsored project lifecycle.

The Pre-Award Research Administrator will manage pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants, contracts and fellowships within one or more CHSS units (i.e., academic departments and programs, and/or chartered research centers and institutes) using knowledge of sponsored research best practices, rules and regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills. The Research Administrator will provide proactive support and outreach to researchers seeking external funding, and will work collaboratively across the college and the university to provide a supportive and responsive environment in the identification and acquisition of external funding to support research, scholarship and creative works (RSCW). The RA will manage the day-to-day operations and objectives in support of the assigned portfolio, and will contribute information and ideas related to areas of responsibility as part of a cross functional team. The RA will ensure effective and efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards for staff/program and self.

Responsibilities:

• Follow and adhere to processes, activities and best practices related to pre-award functions;
• Perform pre-award activities for a unit (department, program or research center) within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences;
• Assist Researchers/PIs in the identification of funding sources and Requests for Proposals (RFPs);
• Develop proposal submission timelines and checklists to aid proposal development, and ensure proposals meet deadlines for internal review and submission;
• Ensure all applications meet agency and University guidelines and published time tables and deadlines, including management of the Just-In-Time process; ensure proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review;
• Assist PI in the development of budgets and budget justifications that follow College and University policies, review the budget for inconsistencies and accuracy, and review budgets for consistency with sponsor requirements;
• Monitor compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verify all financial information to include application of the appropriate Facilities & Administration (F&A) rate for the project;
• If applicable, assist PI with cost share requests and/or F&A reduction requests for CHSS and OSP approval;
• Advise PI on budget adjustments and revisions necessary to meet the sponsor requirements;
• Confer with PI and pre-award staff at collaborating institutions to secure necessary sub-award documents for proposals;
• Advise PI or department administrators on practical approaches for successful research proposal submissions;
• Coordinate and review certain proposal elements (bio-sketches and facilities and resources) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness;
• Review proposals for consistency with sponsor guidelines on budget, format, font size, page limits excluding narrative content (obtain and review sponsor guidelines);
• Assist with assembling the final proposal package to ensure successful integration of all components of the application;
• Assist faculty with entering data into the Research Administration Management Portal (RAMP) system and external sponsor portals as needed;
• Monitor and facilitate proposal process through the routing process in compliance with University procedures and institutional signatures; obtain signatures as needed;
• Monitor proposal status and advise PI on requirements and deadlines associated with research protection protocols;
• Develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with faculty and staff in CHSS; inform faculty on availability of resources within and outside of CHSS;
• Work effectively with other offices (OSP, Fiscal Services, ORIA, college, departments, divisions) on research proposal;
• Participate in professional development activities and share information with CHSS RA team.

Skills:

• High-level interpersonal skills in a professional environment;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to analyze data and formulate conclusions;
• Ability to learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts acquisition and management;
• Proficient use of computers; requires solid working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Ability to create high-quality written documents;
• Ability to interact and communicate well with senior leadership, colleagues and peers;
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision;
• Proactively resolve issues in a timely manner;
• Demonstrated customer service skills;
• Deadline oriented; work well under pressure.

Required Qualifications:

• Any appropriate combination of relevant education and/or work experience may be considered;
• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations relating to research grant and/or contract activity;
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures relating to grant and contracts activity;
• Knowledge of University processes, systems and offices related to and/or involved in grant and contract submission and management;
• Knowledge of best practices in sponsored research to facilitate successful pre-award research administration;
• Experience creating proposal budgets and working with faculty members on revisions as needed;
• Ability to be precise, detail oriented and reliable, work independently, and adapt to frequent changes in work assignments;
• Demonstrated proficient organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated proficient oral and written skills required; demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively answer questions from faculty, staff and other customers;
• Ability to work as part of a team;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 3 years effective work-related experience with sponsored projects and contract research proposal submissions;
• Experience in electronic research administration;
• CRA or CPRA;
• Basic understanding of conflict of interest, human subject and vertebrate animals and biohazards compliance regulations;
• Ability to review, interpret and apply federal, University and sponsor rules and regulations to assigned projects; knowledge of OMB cost principles and Uniform Guidance 2CFR 200.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number 03246z at c; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.