Department
 

BSD BMB - Administration

About the Department
 

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) studies how biomolecules function and interact to drive the complex, diverse, and adaptive behaviors of living systems. Our focus is on biological mechanisms described at the molecular level. We are highly collaborative and often employ multiple approaches to address otherwise intractable questions. We have particular strengths in membrane proteins and RNA biochemistry and are pioneers in all areas of biophysics, structural biology, biochemistry, and protein engineering and design. https://biochem.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary
 

The Grants and Contracts Administrator provides professional support for post-award and/or pre-award administration for faculty. The Grants and Contracts Administrator manages post-award activities including periodic ledger reconciliations, compliance monitoring, payment processing, salary allocations, reporting, and providing periodic financial analysis and projections to faculty and other stakeholders. Pre-award responsibilities include guiding faculty throughout the proposal preparation process, putting proposals together in AURA and/or other relevant portals, and completing submissions.

Responsibilities

Handles post-award activities including requesting and/or monitoring the creation of new fund accounts (grants or unrestricted), regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations, effort reporting, periodic grant projections and analysis, cost allocations, equipment inventory, sub-award payments, grant closing process, and reporting.Works closely with the faculty to review the notice of grant award, and ensures all budgets are accurate and set up correctly per university policies and procedures and sponsor instructions.Serves as a primary resource for post-award grant questions; communicates with, recommends, and advises faculty and staff regarding post-award policies and issues.Works with faculty to proactively establish correct funding and effort of personnel for each project. Does monthly reviews to maintain accuracy, and process proactive and retroactive funding transactions per university procedures.Advises faculty, researchers, and other administrators on policies and procedures for fulfilling all aspects of the procurement process including purchasing, internal requisition of services, payments to vendors, and travel reimbursements.Manages all subcontracts with participating institutions and facilitates payment of invoices promptly.Performs financial accounting, including financial projections, account reconciliation, account closing, and reporting.Reconciles ledgers for funds accounts, prepares projection reports and meets with faculty to review them periodically.Manages faculty startup and unrestricted research accounts, gift and endowment accounts.Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi-investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.Works with faculty to advise on, plan, and manage financial aspects of sponsored project proposal preparation and submission including budgeting and subcontracting.Performs compliance review of all proposals for adherence to university, agency, and federal requirements.Coordinates active grant management activities, including submission of progress reports, non-competing applications, amendments, technical reports, just-in-time submissions, no-cost extensions, agency-required re-budgeting, carry-over requests, Data Use Agreements, and Material Transfer Agreements.Communicates and collaborates with URA to facilitate a smooth transition throughout the full grant life cycle.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.Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them and responds to their questions. Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

Progressively responsible experience in sponsored research administration, preferrably post-award.Background working within an academic or complex administrative environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Strong computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Word.Budgeting and financial accounting skills.

​Preferred Competencies

Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.Work independently to manage a diverse range of activities and deadlines.Time management skills and handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines.Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with individuals from across different backgrounds.Flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures.Understand and interpret University, federal, and non-federal grants and contract guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.Weekend/Evening hours as needed.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (required)

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

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

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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