Associate Research Administrator/Research Administrator

Associate Research Administrator/Research Administrator - Post-Award, SOMRA

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.

Job Code
34124N-34213N

Recruitment Pool
All Applicants

Posting Number
req7183

Unit
School Of Medicine MBU

Department
SOMRA

Department Website Link

Location
VCU

Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Position PrimaryPurpose and General Duties:

The VCU School of Medicine Office ofResearch Administration (SOMRA) is looking for candidates interested inpursuing or continuing a career in Research Administration. From bench to bedside, we are at theforefront of scientific discoveries that advance health care for humanity. Thisrole ensures compliance with sponsor guidelines, university policies, andfederal regulations while supporting principal investigators (PIs) in effectivegrant management.

We are a shared service model andprovide support to SOM departments. As a member of the SOMRA team, the selectedcandidate for this position will be responsible for providing direct post-awardadministrative support to investigators conducting basic, clinical, andtranslational research in a variety of departments and centers at VCU. Less experienced candidates will be providedtraining and mentoring to acquire all needed skills and are encouraged toapply.

The primary responsibilities for thisposition include:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for post-award administration for their portfolio's departments and PIs.
• Award Establishment: Work with researchers and VCU offices to ensure awards are set-up appropriately for financial and administrative management
• Financial Management: monitor expenditures for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness; prepare financial analysis and projections for researchers to keep them informed and aid in research program decision making.
• Effort Management: work with researchers to ensure accurate effort and payroll allocations to projects
• Responsible for budget forecasting, including analyzing financial trends, projecting future costs, and ensuring alignment with funding allocations
• Post-award actions: facilitate administrative components of progress reporting, amendments, continuations, supplements, no cost extensions, and close-outs

Successful candidates will demonstratethe ability to think critically, assess challenges, and develop strategicapproaches to problem-solving

This posting is an open search for varyinglevels of prior research administration experience. SOMRA will provide anopportunity for selected candidates to grow those skills in a fast-paced,diverse environment. The position will also present opportunities for continuedcareer growth in the field for those presenting a willingness to learn, abilityto be pro-active, and work collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty andstaff across VCU.

This position is eligible for remotework. Candidates living outside theRichmond metro region are encouraged to apply, but may be required to comeon-site on occasion (no more than twice annually) for in-service training andprofessional development activities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate Research Administrator: Bachelor's degree and prior relevant work experience in a financial, compliance or research related field; 1 or more years prior work experience preferred. Additional work experience will be considered in lieu of degree.Some prior research administration experience preferred.
• Candidates with 2 or more years of direct pre and post award research administration experience may be considered for Research Administrator slotting.
• Must possess ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms.
• Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, be pro-active in asking questions and seeking guidance when needed.
• Strong problem solving and time management skills are essential, including ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision.
• Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe required.
• RA candidates: Must be proficient in the following areas: budget development, analyze financial transactions for trends and variances; expense forecasting; creating reports and tracking tools; financial reconciliation, monitoring for compliance to sponsor and institutional terms/policy.
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic team in a diverse environment required.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in administrative and financial management in an academic setting (to include a working knowledge of state/university purchasing, travel, personnel administration policies and procedures) will be preferred.
• For RA consideration; in addition to direct experience requirements, Certified Research Administrators (CRA) or those with ability and desire to obtain a CRA w/in 2 years preferred.
• Master's Degree preferred
• Additionally, general understanding ofIRB and IACUC policies pertaining to regulatory requirements in animal andhuman research is a plus.

FLSA
University Employee

Job FTE
1

Exemption Status
Exempt

Restricted Position
No

E-Class
UF - University Employee FT

Job Category
University Employee

ORP Eligible
No

Salary Range
$48,000-$77,000; commensurate with experience

Compensation Type
Salaried

Target Hire Date
5/9/2025

Contact Information for Candidates

Liliana Valladares

Documents Needed to Apply