Assistant Research Administrator

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences (PPHS) at the University of Southern California is seeking a full-time Assistant Research Administrator to join our team. This role requires an experienced, customer service-driven, self-motivated, full-time employee with great communication skills, organizational skills, and strong budget skills!  The PPHS department has over 100 faculty members across 6 divisions and an active sponsored research portfolio of about $77 million in annual grant expenses.

The Assistant Research Administrator is part of a team that provides both pre- and post-award support to our faculty. Activities include proposal submissions, budgeting, analyzing, reconciling, reporting on budget activity and review of effort certification statements for sponsored projects. This position has a hybrid schedule and is not eligible to be fully remote. The selected candidate will report to the department’s Associate Director of Research Administration.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide pre- and post-award management support for the faculty members’ research and contract and grant activities.
• Participate with the faculty member principal investigators in the preparation of the administrative components of proposals within parameters of sponsored and non-sponsored research guidelines.
• Advise principal investigators on specific agency requirements and guidelines to assist them in the preparation and submission of proposals.
• Review and submit research proposals prepared by the principal investigator to the Department of Contracts and Grants for approval.
• Provide post-award administrative support such as expenditure reviews and preparation of requests for budget changes and cost transfers, effort reports, check requests, requisitions, and reimbursements. 
• Provide accounting detail to principal investigators and administrators and assists investigators and Sponsored Projects Accounting as required in the preparation of reports.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets. Serve as a liaison and active partner between principal investigators, Office of Sponsored Research, research groups, other departments, and subcontractors at other institutions.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Research to ensure awards are set up properly and cost sharing requirements are fulfilled.
• Prepare regular grant award reports and projections for the principal investigators.
• Participate in grant and contract closeout processes.
• Understand and advise principal investigators on university and sponsor policies for projects. Interpret and ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Participate in and contribute to process improvements. 

Minimum Education, Experience, and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education 
• 1 years of pre- and post-award management in a university/academic department. Knowledge of sponsored award regulations. Strong accounting skills. Experience in financial award reporting. Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records, and generate reports. Proven oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Education, Experience, and/or Expertise

• 2+ years of experience in contracts and grants coordination and pre- and post-award administration in a fast-paced academic environment.
• Experience and proficiency with USC systems, including Workday, Cayuse, Kuali.

Required Skills

• Strong accounting, analytic, writing, and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Powerpoint, Word, Excel), and grant management systems
• Strong interpersonal effectiveness, including resourcefulness and relationship building.
• Financial award data extraction, analysis, reporting, presentation
• Ability to conduct self in highly personable and professional manner.
• Strong time management skills. Ability to prioritize and manage workload effectively and independently.
• Demonstrated team player and “can-do” attitude.
• Customer service-oriented

To apply, please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter expressing interest in the position and fit with the minimum and preferred qualifications

The hourly rate range for this position is $35.34 - $38.19. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 3 years

Minimum Field of Expertise:

Basic knowledge of governmental regulations. Strong accounting skills. Competency in project management. A Bachelor’s Degree with broad knowledge of relevant research computer software, e.g.: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard. Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports. Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports. Proven oral and written communication skills to interact with other employees.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 1 Year Minimum Field of Expertise: A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with broad knowledge of relevant research computer software, e.g.: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Outlook, SPSS, Visio, and SunGard. Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports. Must be able to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports. Proven oral and written communication skills to interact with other employees.