Research Administration Coordinator
The University of Chicago

Department

SSD Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

The Division of the Social Sciences established the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) in December 2017, with a mission to advance and accelerate social science research and maximize its innovation and impact. Our funding and activities are designed to foster team-based and multi-method collaborative approaches to understanding complex, interdisciplinary questions that will help shape the emerging fields and sub-fields of the social sciences. Through its work across five pillars of research support and engagement-Research Development, Research Funding, Programming and Events, Broader Impacts, and Shared Space-SSRC addresses the rapidly evolving and growing needs for research infrastructure across the social sciences.

SSRC functions as a hub for researchers across the division to access resources that support their work and is home to the Division of the Social Sciences research development team. This position is critical to the management of the SSRC facility and programming, and will contribute to research development supporting SSD, Harris, and Crown School faculty.

Job Summary

The job performs routine pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within a department or unit. Pre-award activities include research, preparing applications, and editing proposals. Post-award activities include compliance monitoring, payment processing, and salary allocations. Performs work with guidance from others.

The Research Administration Coordinator of the SSRC will manage the facility and work directly with faculty as a trusted partner to positively impact research success by fostering collaborations, connecting investigators to research resources across and beyond the University, supporting proposal development and submission activities, and developing faculty training and pedagogical training programs. The position will add capacity in service-areas that directly impact faculty (pre- and post-award support) and will improve the return on Divisional and University investments in research. The Research Administration Coordinator will program and manage logistics for events and workshops with goals to provide training and facilitate innovation in research methods, cultivate research collaboration across fields and units, and bring University resources for research, such as the Research Computing Center (RCC) and the Institutional Review Board (IRB), to our faculty via specialized training sessions and regular office hours.

Responsibilities

• With Division's research development team, organizes proposal preparation and submission (pre-award) services so as to reliably meet all sponsor expectations; make most efficient use of faculty and staff time; anticipate investigators' needs through the award life cycle; and ensure compliance with University policies.
  
• Manages the Division's Social Sciences Research Center research facility; coordinates administrative needs of the faculty research projects (e.g. scheduling assignments, supporting visitors, coordinating workshops).
  
• Develops research development training programs and workshops; creates tools and templates to support the proposal development infrastructure; manages division's proposal library and funding opportunity resources; Facilitates collaboration with other University partners (e.g. RCC, CI, etc.), and develops targeted training opportunities (e.g. IRB, data visualization, etc.).
  
• In the interest of faculty and staff productivity and compliance, develops, deploys and supports systems and tools for proposal planning and preparation and award management.
  
• Works with the Deputy Dean of Research and the SSRC faculty advisory board to develop and implement programming consistent with SSRC priorities, and to review and select recipients of various research funds.
  
• Works with faculty and the Division's research development team to translate ideas and concepts into competitive narratives for external funding; advises on strategies for meeting broader impacts, data management, project management, and similar requirements; and provides pre-award grants administration support.
  
• Develops and maintains a detailed knowledge of University of Chicago social science faculty research interests and strengths, and is responsible for creating and executing innovative research support programs for faculty in the social sciences.
  
• Maintains constructive, collaborative relationships with other departments, units, and divisions; initiates and coordinates large sponsored awards projects and collaborative, interdisciplinary, and/or institutional programs and projects, in coordination with faculty and staff across the campus.
  
• Researches new avenues for funding, research and grant opportunities. Ensures that notices of relevant opportunities are brought to faculty attention. With guidance and direction from others, works with sponsors to draft proposal budgets in accordance with unit or University needs.
  
• Assists in the review of all applications against University guidelines, in addition to drafting progress reports, non-competing applications, amendments, and budgeting. Responsible for all data entry and preparation of grant reports and trend analysis.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through ---
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
  
• Advanced degree.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of relevant experience in higher education or research administration.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Advanced knowledge in relevant scientific field.
  
• Advanced knowledge of University policies, administration, and operations.
  
• Advanced knowledge of social science research techniques or methods.
  
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of scientific applications and equipment.
  
• Analytical skills.
  
• Problem-solving skills.
  
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
  
• Verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
  

Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover letter (required)
  
• References (required)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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