Temporary Senior Research Administrator

Apply for Job Job ID 53798
Location Evanston, Illinois
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Department: Temp Center
Salary/Grade: TMP/01

Position: Temporary Senior Research Administrator

Hours: This is a part-time position (10 hours, Monday-Friday)

Pay: $22.00 per hour
Campus:
Approximate start date: 6/1/2026
Approximate end date: 7/20/2026

Northwestern University is seeking a temporary Senior Research Administrator .

Temporary Job Description:

Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. May provide sole support to a small to mid-sized unit, or support a portion of activities in a larger unit. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems. Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.

Specific Responsibilities:

Complexity

• Typically administers multiple research projects such as:

• Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts

• Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit

• NIH U-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

• NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

• NIH T-approximately $100-$200K+/yr. over multiple yrs.

• DOD and industry awards

• Center or program grants

• Proposals with cost sharing

• Fixed-price contracts

• Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements

Pre-Award

• Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.

• Coordinates proposal submission.

• Coordinates budget and justification preparation.

• Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.

• Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.

• Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.

Post-Award

• Coordinates post-award activities.

• Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.

• Completes expenditure reviews.

• Reconciles monthly payroll entries.

• Verifies & processes cost share entries.

• Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.

• Prepares interim & final financial reports.

• Facilitates account close out activities.

• Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.

Financial

• Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.

• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Human Resources

• Provides research administration training.

• Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.

• Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.

• Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.

Supervision

• Assigns & reviews staff work.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• A minimum of 5 years' experience required with 2 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented

• Multi-tasking, communication

• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress

• Managing people

• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• 5 years research administration related experience

• Degree in finance, accounting, business, or related experience

• Experience with federal grants management

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Intermediate to advance software proficiency, including Excel, and ability and willingness to learn and become proficient in additional programs as relevant

• Familiarity with system-to-system proposal development software such as InfoEd Proposal Development

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, multi-task, and meet deadlines

• Detail-oriented self-starter who is also pro-active, diplomatic in approach, and skilled at stress management, particularly related to grant-related deadlines

• Multi-tasking, clear communication

• Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing

In addition to salary, this temporary position is eligible for paid time off and paid sick time in accordance with Northwestern University policies. This position is not eligible for other benefits offered to regular staff positions.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .