Research Advancement Specialist II

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Closing Date:

09/02/2026

Type of Position:

Sponsored Program Administration

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:

Office of Research & Grants

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:

The Research Advancement Specialist supports the College of Education and Health Professions' Office of Research and Grant Administration by providing primarily pre-award support to faculty and staff, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating proposal development, preparing budgets, and facilitating proposal submissions. The position provides high-quality customer service throughout the proposal development process while contributing to research office initiatives, faculty development activities, and continuous process improvement to strengthen research administration services and enhance success in securing external funding.

The Research Advancement Specialist will:
1) Assist department faculty and outreach unit staff principal investigators (PIs) in identifying external funding opportunities and submitting competitive proposals.
2) Provide leadership in coordinating and reviewing all proposal elements (e.g., narratives, budgets, biosketches, and facilities) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness, including large and complex awards for soft-funded centers and outreach units Interface effectively with other college and university units (e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs, Division of Research and Innovation) to develop complete, accurate, and competitive proposals.
3) Ensure that proposals are correctly entered into electronic research administration system and sponsor portals.
4) Route proposals for institutional approvals in a timely manner and in compliance with university policies and procedures.

The position is responsible for reviewing all proposal elements (e.g., narratives, budgets, biosketches, and facilities) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness, including large and complex awards for soft-funded centers and outreach units; Interfacing effectively with other college and university units (e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs, Division of Research and Innovation) to develop complete, accurate, and competitive proposals; Ensuring that proposals are correctly entered into electronic research administration system and sponsor portals; and Routing proposals for institutional approvals in a timely manner and in compliance with university policies and procedures.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, including the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least two or more years of experience in research administration, grant administration, proposal development, sponsored programs, financial administration, and/or a related field

• At least two or more years of experience interpreting state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsor policies and procedures; coordinating multiple priorities; reviewing and editing technical, academic, and/or sponsored project documents; and providing high-quality customer service

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least one or more years in a position working in higher education

• At least three or more years of experience in pre-award research administration, including preparing grant proposals, developing proposal budgets, coordinating proposal submissions to federal, state, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsors, with experience supporting workforce development and/or training grant proposals.

• Experience working with state, federal, foundation, industry, and/or other private sponsor

• Experience in proposal development and/or writing

• Certified Research Administrator certificate

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to develop proposal budgets

• Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines

• Ability to identify potential funding opportunities

• Ability to build collaborative relationships

Additional Information:

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025. Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

Salary Information:

$61,735 (Commensurate with education and experience)

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Stacy Stuart
Assistant Dean for Research and Grant Administration
View email address on us.fitly.work

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

Talking

Benefits Eligible:

Yes