Associate Research Administrator (SPARC - Hybrid Role)
Northwestern University is seeking an Associate Research Administrator to provide administrative assistance and routine problem-solving for their research programs. The role involves managing pre-award and post-award activities for research projects, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting financial and administrative tasks. Responsibilities Provides administrative assistance and routine problem-solving in support of the unit's research programs and mission Assistance may include the preparation &/or submission of routine research proposals, grants &/or contracts according to standard practice &/or general instruction May assist with &/or complete proposal submissions, prepare information used in grant budgets, process and project financial transactions, &/or effort reporting activities Typically administers entire research projects such as: Single Principal Investigator (PI) basic proposals, grants &/or contracts May assist with components of multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts Completes pre-award administration of grant &/or contract activities Reviews solicitation & determines necessary components Organizes proposal, renewal and resubmission applications Completes NU OSR forms Completes entire application for smaller, less-complicated, simple, standard proposals Completes post-award administration of research grants &/or contracts Reviews account establishment Reviews expenditures Tracks formal re-budgeting Coordinates core resource account setup and maintenance Provides data needed for the preparation of interim and final financial and technical progress reports Participates in account close out activities Monitors project under spending and overspending Communicates with PI, other unit and project personnel, OSR, ASRSP and/or sponsor accordingly Reviews &/or approves transactions Reconciles standard budget & payroll information ensuring that appropriate sponsored accounts are charged Prepares payroll journals to enter or correct funding of salary from sponsored projects Prepares and coordinates signatures on 90 day letters required when transactions are not timely Processes paperwork associated with hiring & termination of employees and orient new employees Resolves standard & routine compliance problems & issues involving associated NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration Becomes familiar with regulations involving research safety, animal subjects and human subjects Alerts supervisor to potential higher risk compliance issues including research safety, animal subjects and human subjects Performs other duties as assigned Skills Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience 1 year financial or administrative support experience in a research environment or other relevant experience Organization, time management, detail oriented Multi-tasking, communication Benefits Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans Retirement benefits Tuition discounts Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate lifeβs challenges and opportunities Flexible work arrangements Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care Employee career development Company Overview Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics. It was founded in 1851, and is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, USA, with a workforce of 5001-10000 employees. Its website is Company H1B Sponsorship Northwestern University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 325 in 2025, 308 in 2024, 280 in 2023, 282 in 2022, 184 in 2021, 155 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.