The University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) at the University of Tennessee seeks to hire one full-time Research Coordinator to provide technical support and assistance to faculty and staff in the preparation of applications for external funding. UT-ORII is jointly led by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to strategically align the expertise and infrastructure of both organizations to usher in world-class interdisciplinary research and graduate education.

UT-ORII Research Services provides concierge level support to approximately 100 research faculty and staff scientists. This position is expected to perform complex functions associated with proposal preparation and review and will work closely with UT-ORII faculty to ensure successful proposal submission. Functions include faculty education/training, proposal and budget development, solicitation interpretation, proposal assembly, compliance review, and ensuring conformance with university, state and federal policy. UT-ORII is committed to the professional development of its team and encourages attendance at NCURA, SRA or other member organizations pertinent to the research administration field.

This position can be fully remote, in-person or hybrid, with occasional travel to Knoxville, TN.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience interpreting and applying federal regulations relative to sponsored relative to sponsored research in a university environment

  • Experience with grant and contract policies of state, federal, private, and non-profit funding agencies

  • Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and tactfully with personnel at all levels

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Superior critical analyses abilities; keen attention to detail

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Outstanding, proactive problem-solving skills

  • Superior customer service skills

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

  • Excellent organizational skills

  • Project management skills

  • Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office software

  • Working knowledge of myriad funding agency-specific guidelines relative to sponsored research

  • Demonstrated ability to work and/or lead within a team

  • Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and tactfully with personnel at all levels

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree, Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Certification

• Experience:

  • Experience with grant and contract policies of state, federal, private, and non-profit funding agencies

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of uniform guidance.

  • Knowledge of and experience working in institutions of higher education and

  • Knowledge of university policies and procedures.

  • Knowledge of Cayuse.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, hybrid or remote

This position can be designated as fully remote for the qualified candidate, meaning most activities will be performed from an agreed upon off-campus location. Some in-person activities such as team meetings may be required on occasion.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11

• 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

About The College/Department/Division

UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL’s best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary graduate education, and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute’s current research areas (Convergent Research Initiatives) include Circular Bioeconomy Systems, Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction, Materials for Fusion and Extreme Environments, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies and Transportation. To learn more about UT-ORII, visit utorii.com.

This position will be responsible for the following activities in support of the Research Services unit:

Proposal Development

• Provide technical assistance to faculty, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students relative to all aspects of proposal support including dissemination of funding opportunities, analysis and interpretation of funding agency opportunities (e.g., solicitations, request for proposals, program guidelines), grants management system(s) support, proposal preparation timeline(s) and checklists, budget development, facilitation of internal/external collaborative arrangements, and proposal submission assistance to the funding agency

• Collaborate with internal and external constituencies in order to obtain and review necessary components for a successful application

• Coordinate and review subrecipient documentation required by sponsor and by UTK

• Coordinate the strategic development of large proposals (multi-year, multi-investigator projects in excess of $2 million/year); identify senior participants and research partners, both internal and external to the University (e.g., other universities, national laboratories, private industry)

• Provide rule-driven copy-editing (language, mechanics, and conformance to guidelines of publisher or funding agency) for research proposals

• Ensure alignment between technical application and budget plans; ensure adequate approvals for resources pledged by the University have been obtained prior to submission

• Ensure the resolution of all sponsored programs related issues in a timely manner and serve as a liaison between UT-ORII faculty and UTK’s Division of Research Administration.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on proposal guidelines, funder requirements, university and federal guidelines, including 2 CFR 200

Administration and Service

• Serves as a backup reviewer & approver for the Manager of Research Services for all external funding proposals on behalf of the Institute – work with faculty in the submission of just in time, or post submission requests to DRA and sponsor.

• Deliver research related training to new UT-ORII faculty (e.g. budget development, cost principles, compliance, RFP review)

• Serve as an Institute liaison with multiple units on campus (Departments, Colleges, UT Sister campuses, ORIED, DRA, etc.) to facilitate collaborative research activities and successful proposal submissions

• Participate in university committees to discuss sponsored programs related issues.

• Support UT-ORII in continuing relationships and collaborations between the University of Tennessee and ORNL.