This position performs sponsored programs functions associated with increasingly complex proposal reviews and submissions to include, budget development, solicitation interpretation, ensuring compliance with University and sponsor policies and processing award documents with little or no contract negotiations.

Required Qualifications

• Education:

Bachelor's degree in a related field

• Experience:

Minimum 1 year of experience working in a sponsored programs related field

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Must be able to negotiate contracts with federal and state sponsors

• Ability to craft appropriate contractual language

• Ability to develop functional and technical competency in the organization's financial and research administration management tools

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work individually and in a team environment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines

• Ability to maintain a strong customer-service oriented environment

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language including excellent reading comprehension.

• Must be able to work inn collaboration with others at various levels both within and outside the University

• Must have strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills

• Must have independent decision making abilities

• Ability to function with a detail orientation and have a high level of initiative

• Must be Knowledgeable of and proficient with Microsoft Office tools, in particular with Excel and Power Point.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: 11

• Anticipated hiring range: 11
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

Engages in increasingly complex sponsored programs activities

• Responsibility for specific sponsors assigned by DRA Leadership

• Understand award documents, both new and continuation, and has the ability to analyze award information and complete the award module in the electronic proposal and award management system

• Understand the proposal submission process and is able to assist with proposal review and submission to sponsor on an as needed basis

• Negotiate contracts for assigned sponsors

• Understand the UT subcontracting process

• Interpret and apply UT fiscal policies in contracts accurately, with limited assistance

• Interpret and apply funding agency guidelines, rules, and regulations accurately, with limited assistance

• Ability to use IRIS by accessing account information, verifying award information, period of performance, etc.

• Involved in Research Administration professional organizations by serving as a volunteer when attending a professional development conference; and/or participating by writing articles for professional organization magazines or other documents.

• Consult with Team Leader and/or Director on issues related to sponsored programs. Seeks advice and assistance as needed

• Participate in other research administration initiatives and takes an active role in activities such as streamlining initiatives, RAOR Forum, newsletters, and other initiatives as they arise

• Recognize the need for compliance and directs Investigators to compliance officers

• Understand and apply financial principles in OMB

Assist and advise faculty and college/departmental research support staff with sponsored programs activities:

• Assist faculty and staff with items and questions pertaining to assigned sponsors

• Understand and provide advice to faculty and staff on basic requirements of IRB, IACUC, Export Control and Bio-Safety

• Prepare and lead basic to intermediate training on topics related to sponsored programs, such as Grants.gov application processes; NSF Step by Step; NIH and eRA Commons; UT Battelle Proposal Processing, etc.

• Serve on university committees or university sponsored committees

Other Duties:

Perform other duties as needed to achieve the goals and expectations of ORIED and research community.