Research Administrative Specialist (Internal Opportunity Only)

Job no: 529786

Position type: Staff Full Time

Benefit Status: Benefited-Union

Campus: UMass Lowell

Department: Research & Innovation

Salary: See posting section for salary range details.

Applications Open: Apr 22 2026

Applications Close: Open until filled

General Summary Of Position

This being an internal opportunity, only current UML Employees, irrespective of Bargaining units are eligible to apply for this position.

This position supports the day-to-day post-award and limited pre-award research administration of grants and contracts for faculty researchers across the campus. This position will assist researchers with routine proposal preparation, award administration, and sponsor-funded financial and administrative transactions, and will directly liaise with Grants and Contract Administrators and Financial Research Administrators.

Essential Job Duties

• Proposal Development:
• Assist faculty with the preparation of routine proposals for submission to OSP Grants and Contracts Administration. Liaise with GCA on revisions and action items required prior to approval and submission by OSP. Responsibilities include:
• Reviewing and interpreting proposal guidelines;
• Advising faculty on standard sponsor policies and internal requirements;
• Checking proposals for completeness and basic compliance with university and sponsor regulations;
• Preparing draft budgets using established university and sponsor policies and rates;
• Helping faculty assemble standard supplemental content such as bio-sketches, current and pending support, facilities descriptions, and other administrative attachments;
• Serving as a resource for PIs on RES and other proposal and grant management tools.
• Award Management:
• Provide primary post-award administrative support to faculty and staff for sponsored awards and contracts. Responsibilities include:
• Helping PIs determine allowability and availability of funds for routine post-award activities;
• Initiating and tracking requests for cost transfers, additional compensation, hiring/personnel action forms, payroll updates, and other award-related transactions;
• Monitoring award activity and assisting PIs with post-award requirements such as reports, closeouts, re-budgets, no-cost extension requests, and other routine sponsor actions;
• Identifying potential overruns, administrative issues, or compliance concerns on sponsored projects and escalating as appropriate;
• Assisting PIs in completing time and effort cards and serving as a point of contact/liaison for time and effort reporting in the college;
• Supporting payroll, postdoc, and student contract administration for sponsored projects.
• Sponsor-funded Transactions:
• Submit as assigned purchase requests in BuyWays; upload travel and reimbursement documentation to Concur; assist faculty and staff with purchasing, accounts payable, and bid execution (sourcing) in coordination with the Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST); and train PIs on entering information into university systems as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor’s Degree plus one year of direct research administration experience, or two years of indirect experience supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, budgeting, finance, procurement, payroll, or other related university research support functions.
• Working knowledge of research administration fundamentals and familiarity with Uniform Guidance.
• Demonstrated experience with financial or administrative transactions (e.g. budgets, purchasing, accounts payable, travel, payroll, and accounting).
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Will consider applicants with an associate’s degree plus three years of relevant experience, or a high school diploma or GED equivalent plus five years of directly related experience.
• Given the nature and responsibilities of the position, only U.S. persons (any individual who is a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident alien of the United States, or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b(a)(3)) will be considered for this position
  
  

Additional Considerations

• Experience with PeopleSoft and Summit financial systems preferred
• Experience in post-award and/or pre-award research administration in a higher education setting preferred
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure of deadlines
• Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills to interact with faculty, staff, and individuals outside the university
• Ability to work with little direct supervision
  
  

Special Instructions To Applicants

This being an internal opportunity, only current UML Employees, irrespective of Bargaining units are eligible to apply for this position.

This is a full-time benefited position anticipated for 6-month period. This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P16. Anticipated salary based on qualifications within the range. Minimum: $59,674, 25th quartile: $67,879 and midpoint of $76,085.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.

*Internal Only*

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