Department

BSD PHS - Grant and Contracts

About the Department

Public Health Sciences (PHS) is the home in the Biological Sciences Division to biostatistics, epidemiology and health services research. These core fields in public health research share a focus on the development and implementation of complex analytic methods to understand the determinants of health, the efficacy of experimental treatments, and the structure of health care at the population level. Bringing together these fields in one department underscores their commonality and enhances opportunities for interdisciplinary research. Faculty members lead local, national, and international studies, and also welcome opportunities to collaborate with faculty across the Biological Sciences Division and the university. Substantively, our research themes include social and environmental determinants of health, genetics and disease, the economics of health care, and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies in public health and clinical care. In terms of methodological expertise, areas in which our faculty has developed innovative approaches include: risk factor measurement; multilevel, clustered and longitudinal data; clinical trials; administrative health data; social networks; and statistical methods to assess the genetic and molecular basis of disease.

Job Summary

The Grant & Contract Specialist provides professional support for pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding within the Department of Public Health Sciences. Pre-award activities, approximately 40% effort, include assisting with the preparation of grant and contract applications; editing proposals, preparing and maintain subaward agreements, both domestic and international; reconciling Notice of Awards and award budgets; assisting with the preparing progress reports; working with faculty and administrators on Just-in-Time and No Cost Extension requests. Post-award activities, approximately 60% would include compliance monitoring, payment processing, maintaining invoicing for both recharge operations and assisting in salary allocations.

Responsibilities

Work directly with faculty to identify, prepare, and submit proposals to NIH and other non/federal sponsors and ensures timely submission of required annual reports, continuation applications, just-in-time submissions, no-cost extensions, or other administrative changes.

Work directly with the PI to develop proposal budgets and reconcile award budgets in accordance with the needs of the research plan, agency, and University requirements. Gather needed documentation and manages the execution of sub-awards, sponsored consulting agreements, amendments, material transfer agreements, and data use agreements.

Work closely with department grants office senior leadership to effectively manage financial components of research projects. This includes award management of internal pilot projects, foundations, non-federal sponsors, and multi-million NIH grants; and working with multiple collaborating institutions and foreign entities.   

Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships internally and externally and serve as a unit contact for administrators outside of the department. Attend institutional meetings and training opportunities that focus on grants and contracts management.

Work in conjunction with the post-award administrator to prepare and submit annual Progress Reports for awarded grants and contracts including, but not limited to, personnel forms, science updates, annual effort aggregates, publications through NCBI and Final Invention Statements.

Reviews 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.

Handles straightforward post-award activities including account creations, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations, effort reporting, grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, invoice preparation, grant closing process, and account closing.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

Submission of NIH grant proposals.

Preparation of large, multi-site grant budgets.

Work experience in an academic setting.

Experience with both domestic and international collaborations. 

Preferred Competencies

Ability to analyze, interpret and implement university policy and procedures and sponsor guidelines and regulations to ensure accurate response.

Ability to keep abreast of NIH policy updates and implement changes accordingly.

Ability to work successfully with university students, faculty, and staff.

Ability to have rapid proficiency in university systems and a high level of proficiency in Word and Excel. 

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information with absolute discretion. 

Ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and work under pressure with minimal supervision.

Working Conditions

Hybrid work arrangements will be considered.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover letter (preferred)

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

Job Family

Financial Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $95,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for n/a

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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