Senior Research Administrator

Senior Research Administrator

Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) at the University of Arizona is seeking experienced Senior Research Administrators (RAs) to provide high-level proposal support for investigators within the College of Science. This role is ideal for a seasoned pre-award professional who thrives in a complex research environment and values close partnership with faculty, sponsors, and central administrative offices.

As part of a centralized Proposal Support team Senior RAs, serve as a strategic hub between investigators and campus partners, including the Office of Research Contracts, and Agreements (ORCA), Financial Services, the University of Arizona Foundation, and institutional compliance units with a high degree of independence and conviction while also collaborating closely with peers and the SPS Pre-Award team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely submissions.

In this role, the Senior RA directly supports faculty throughout the full proposal lifecycleproviding expert guidance on proposal development, sponsor requirements, budgets, subawards, and institutional policieswhile delivering exceptional customer and proactive problem-solving. The position requires demonstrated, working knowledge of federal, private, nonprofit, and international sponsors, including application of Uniform Guidance and agency-specific policies.

The Proposal Support team is committed to continuous improvement and adherence to best practices in grants and contracts administration. Senior RAs are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility, while contributing to process refinement and knowledge-sharing across SPS.

Sponsored Projects Services (SPS), in partnership with the Office of Research Contracts and Agreements (ORCA), is part of the Office of Research & Partnerships (ORP). Together, these units support the University of Arizona research by delivering high-quality proposal, contracting, and financial services that promote responsible stewardship of sponsored funds and minimize institutional risk. Our work supports the University's strategic research goals across proposal development and submission, contract negotiation, post-award management, and administrative guidance.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Works directly with faculty members, research staff, program coordinators, college administrators, and other units on campus in the preparation of proposals.
• Responsible for building and maintaining collaborations with academic institutions and research consortia (internal and external), government agencies, industry partners, non-profits and foundations (including the UA Foundation), other research networks (including Arizona universities and subaward partners), institutional leadership, international collaborators, and legal and compliance networks (such as OGC, OROI, and Export Control) to ensure successful and compliant proposal submissions.
• Creates and presents training materials for research faculty and staff for preaward activities. This position will support the strategic plans for the department by working closely with the department leadership on their research missions and goals and by working directly with the business offices specific to those departments.
• Develops and submits large, complex proposals such as program projects, interdisciplinary research centers, multidisciplinary university research initiatives, etc.
• Assists faculty and departmental staff with preaward questions and issues of a more complex nature, and assists in the delivery of high-level support to faculty and departmental staff in regard to preaward and activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a solution-oriented attitude while providing elevated customer service.
• Effective verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to possess advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritizes work and successfully manages multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work well under pressure without sacrificing teamwork, accuracy, or customer service.
• Knowledge of university and sponsor policies and procedures, or demonstrated ability to learn and integrate policy and procedure as needed.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe applications and capabilities.
• Ability to accommodate and respond to shifting priorities and multiple, demanding projects.
• Ability to remain teachable and open to evolving in their learning.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years or relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.