"I've been on the UT faculty over 30 years, and I work with a variety of extramural funding agencies. I simply cannot say enough good things about our ORIED [Office of Research]. Questions are answered quickly. Proposals are handled efficiently. Deadlines are never missed. And my errors, of which there are many, are spotted and corrected accurately. Colleagues at collaborating institutions often become jealous when they witness ORIED's atmosphere of professionalism, timeliness, alacrity, and bonhomie. Support like this is a huge factor in faculty satisfaction and retention."
Join our proposal or contract teams. FOUR positions available due to staff promotions within the research administration field.
Proposal Coordinator
- Two open positions – Full Time, Division of Research Administration
- Hybrid/remote work options available (see below)
- Salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Pay grade TBD.
- APPLY HERE
Description: The Division of Research Administration (DRA) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a full-time Proposal Coordinator to assist faculty and staff in the preparation, review, and submission of applications for external funding. DRA strives to provide the highest quality of support to faculty, staff, and research administrators. DRA is committed to the professional development of its team and supports and encourages attendance to NCURA, SRA, and other member organizations pertinent to the research administration field. In addition, DRA has an approved Career Path which offers opportunity for promotion within the office.
As part of our commitment to supporting a culture of work-life balance, we offer hybrid/remote work options (upon completion of probationary period).
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Specific responsibilities for this position include:
- Provide thorough review and analysis of applications for external funding in accordance with sponsor guidelines and communicate that information to faculty, peers, administrators, staff, and researchers
- Prepare budgets that are in alignment with UT budget codes based on interpretation of sponsors' budget categories
- Utilize UT fiscal policies related to sponsored programs and correctly apply them to assignments
- Review and identify when proposals contain compliance concerns and direct researchers accordingly
- Use agency electronic systems for proposal submissions, reporting, and requested changes to the project
- Use internal systems, including Cayuse, and provide guidance to other users on how to utilize the systems
- Apply funding agency rules and regulations and understand the differences between university policies and agency policies
- Understand and apply financial principles in Uniform Guidance
- Consult with peers, Team Leads, and/or Directors on issues related to sponsored programs
- Stay abreast of sponsors policies and regulations and share information with colleagues
Minimum Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a professional office environment
Minimum Required Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work individually and in a team environment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines
- Ability to maintain a strong customer-service oriented environment
- Must have strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to communicate effectively in the English language including excellent reading comprehension.
- Must be able to work in collaboration with others at various levels both within and outside the University
- Must have strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Must have independent decision-making abilities
- Ability to function with a detail orientation and have a high level of initiative
- Must be knowledgeable of and proficient with Microsoft Office tools, in particular Excel and Power Point.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Proficiency using sponsor-specific submission systems (Fastlane, Grants.gov, Proposal Central, etc.)
- Experience working with faculty and other researchers on solicitation review, proposal review and submission, award/contract review and setup
- Experience working in research administration
- Knowledge of University policies and procedures
- Knowledge of federal regulations
- Professional competence in interpreting the FAR, Uniform Guidance, etc.
- Certified Research Administrator
Additional Information:
- Please attach the following electronic documents to the application: Cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses (postal and electronic), and telephone numbers of at least three references.
- Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the position is filled.
- Contact: Marie Penn, marie.penn@utk.edu
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Contract Coordinator
- Two open positions – Full Time, Division of Research Administration
- Hybrid/remote work options available (see below)
- Salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Pay grade TBD.
- APPLY HERE
Description: The Division of Research Administration (DRA) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a full-time Contract Coordinator who will be primarily responsible for reviewing and negotiating contracts and grants from federal, state, and local government, non-profit, and foundation sponsors. Responsibilities include reading and analyzing legal agreements; conducting contract negotiations; recognizing unacceptable contract language and recommending acceptable contractual clauses; solving complex issues; recording actions in a relational database; and maintaining up-to-date electronic files. The Contract Coordinator will also negotiate CDAs, MTAs, industry contracts, and foreign contracts. The Contract Coordinator will assist and advise faculty, researchers, and staff with award administration. The Contract Coordinator will prepare and lead trainings on a variety of topics related to sponsored programs. The Contract Coordinator is required to keep abreast of new developments in University policies and procedures, as well as federal and state regulations. The Contract Coordinator will work with sponsored projects accountants on rebudgets and other account information. The Contract Coordinator will serve on university search and screen committees.
DRA is committed to the professional development of its team and supports and encourages attendance to NCURA, SRA, and other member organizations pertinent to the research administration field. In addition, DRA has an approved Career Path which offers opportunity for promotion within the office.
Compensation will be based on qualifications and years of experience.
As part of our commitment to supporting a culture of work-life balance, we offer hybrid/remote work options (upon completion of probationary period).
Minimum Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience working in the field of research administration, sponsored programs, or contracting.
Minimum Required Skills and Abilities:
- Must be able to negotiate contracts with federal, state, private and industry sponsors.
- Ability to recognize unacceptable contract language and recommend acceptable contract clauses.
- Ability to develop functional and technical competency in the organization's financial and research administration management tools.
- Ability to work individually and in a team environment under stressful and time-sensitive conditions.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to maintain a strong customer-service oriented environment.
- Must have strong verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to communicate effectively in the English language including excellent reading comprehension.
- Must be able to work in collaboration with others at various levels both within and outside the University.
- Must have strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Must have independent decision-making abilities.
- Ability to function with a detail orientation and have a high level of initiative.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Prior administrative experience within a university, federal laboratory, federal contractor, or other research-intensive environment.
- Proficiency using sponsor-specific submission systems (Fastlane, Grants.gov, Proposal Central, etc.).
- Knowledge of federal contract and grant provisions including federal acquisition regulations (FAR).
- Professional competence in interpreting the FAR, Uniform Guidance, etc.
- Certified Research Administrator.
Additional Information
- Please attach the following electronic documents to the application: Cover letter, resume, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references.
- Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the position is filled.
- Contact: Chelsea Inman, cshort9@utk.edu
Related Websites:
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David Smelser
Assistant Director, Sponsored Programs
University of Tennessee-System Office
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