[Hiring] Pre-Award Research Administrator II @Tufts University

Role Description

The Office of University Research and Innovation (OURI) strives to provide high-quality services to faculty and staff and to increase the funding available to support research and scholarship, while protecting the university's interests and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The office works in collaboration with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to advance strategic initiatives that strengthen Tufts' research enterprise and ensure institutional obligations are met.

OURI is responsible for pre-award administration of grants and contracts and supports investigators in developing proposals and funding strategies. The office partners with other administrative units to support an environment that advances research, scholarship, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the university.

The Pre-Award Research Administrator II plays a key role in advancing Tufts' research mission by administering a portfolio of broad and moderately complex sponsored programs. This position is eligible for a fully remote work arrangement.

What You'll Do

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 sponsored research proposals annually.
• Review, prepare, and process sponsored research proposals to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies, including budget review and verification of allowable costs.
• Partner with principal investigators and departmental research administrators throughout the proposal development and submission process.
• Prepare subcontract agreements and amendments using established institutional templates and procedures.
• Negotiate agreements with standard terms and conditions prior to authorized official review and signature.
• Provide non-financial post-award support, including budget reallocations, no-cost extensions, contract amendments, and interpretation of award terms and conditions.
• Serve as a trusted resource to principal investigators and departmental research administrators by providing guidance on sponsor requirements, university policies, and research administration best practices.
• Maintain and develop expertise in research administration through ongoing monitoring of sponsor requirements, policies, and funding updates.
• Participate in special projects and respond to reporting and information requests as needed.
• Assist in training and onboarding junior and temporary staff.
• Attend meetings and collaborate with colleagues across the university to support research administration activities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of research administration experience, including proposal review and sponsored project support.
• Knowledge of major funding agencies, sponsor requirements, and electronic research administration systems (e.g., Grants.gov, NIH eRA Commons, NSF FastLane/Research.gov, ProposalCentral), or the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Understanding of federal regulations governing sponsored research and related areas of compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong attention to detail, judgment, analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA), or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA).

Pay Range

• Minimum: $67,200.00
• Midpoint: $83,900.00
• Maximum: $100,700.00
• Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.