Assistant Director, Pre-Award Grant Management

Assistant Director, Pre-Award Grant Management

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior. As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers. With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbias top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the worlds most dynamic cities.

The Zuckerman Institute is seeking an Assistant Director, Pre-Award Grant Management, to join the Pre-Award and Research Development Team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Pre-Award and Research Development, the primary responsibility for this position is to assist principal investigators and their labs in the preparation, submission, setup, and administration of grants and contracts, including subaward agreements and progress reports. The incumbent must successfully balance multiple priorities, be flexible to changes, and meet tight deadlines. We seek a candidate interested in neuroscience research who is enthusiastic about working closely with investigators of all levels, including graduate students, postdocs, early-career, and senior investigators. The role requires expertise in the administrative management of Sponsored Projects and an understanding of scientific grantsmanship.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Partners with principal investigators and trainees in the preparation and submission of federal (NIH, NSF, DoD) and private foundation grant applications and progress reports.
• Engages external collaborators and coordinates with Columbias Sponsored Project Administration team to establish subcontracts and consulting agreements; develops and maintains a positive relationship with funding agencies and collaborating organizations.
• Liaises with Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) officers to ensure thorough and timely review and submission of applications to agencies.
• Tracks application status and supports investigators in preparing and sending post-submission materials and responding to Just-In-Time requests.
• Aids principal investigators in the maintenance of Biosketches, Other Support, effort tables, Facilities and Resources, Equipment, publication lists, and other supporting documents.
• Ensures completeness of documentation and maintain standardized templates, tools, and filing systems.
• Works closely with the Zuckerman Institute Post-Award Team and SPA to set up new awards, extend projects, process no-cost extension and carryover requests.
• Prepares monthly summary reports of application submissions, outcomes, and forecasts.
• Trains under the direction of the Executive Director of Pre-Award and Research Development and other Zuckerman Institute senior staff to continuously develop and gain sound knowledge and expertise in all aspects of grant administration; collaborates with other teams as needed on special projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and escalates issues requiring attention to the Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree and / or equivalent related experience required. Minimum of 4 years of pre-award grant submission experience in an academic grant-funded research environment. Prior experience with and understanding of NIH systems (eRA Commons, ASSIST, RePORTER).

Preferred Qualifications

Excellent project management skills, including the ability to work independently in a deadline-driven, multi-tasking environment; sound judgment in prioritizing tasks. Ability to confidently liaise with faculty, trainees, staff, and various University administrative offices. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Expertise in MS Office and Google Suite applications. The successful candidate must be flexible, have sound judgment, and have a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation. Bachelors degree in biological sciences or a business-related field such as finance, accounting, business administration, public health, or public administration.

This position sometimes involves deadline-driven work outside regular business hours, which may include weekends. Subject to business needs, the ZI Pre-Award and Research Development Team supports a hybrid work arrangement for this position. Options will be discussed during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.