Job Board

The Research Administration Specialist (RAS) reports to the Senior Research Administration Specialist and is responsible for supporting a variety of research administration activities with a primary focus on post-award management. The RAS will also serve as the department's main contact for research administration post-award related matters for faculty, researchers and relevant staff.

Post-award responsibilities  

• Responsible for EPS research administration post-award activities. 

• Establish and maintain relationships and effective communication with faculty, lab/group members, relevant staff, and University offices. 

• Prepares monthly budget and expenditure reconciliation, and financial projections, monitor balances, recommend contingency plans in accordance with university/sponsor policies. Communicates and meets with faculty, research group coordinators, and the EPS executive director to review results and resolve issues.  

• Assists in the review and approval of grant-related expenditures. Monitors grants and contracts on a regular basis to ensure expenses are paid in accordance with university and sponsor policies and within budgetary limits and timelines. 

• Review and set up award budgets. 

• Process research administration transactional activities (e.g., no-cost extension requests, journals, etc.) 

• Coordinates technical reporting requirement reminders to PIs and has primary responsibility for the coordination and documentation of grant close-out requirements.  

• Reviews and coordinates the effort certification process and advises PIs and staff on related policies.   

• Serves as primary departmental liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs and other relevant FAS offices on financial and compliance reporting requirements.  

Pre-award responsibilities 

• Serves as primary back-up to EPS Senior Research Administration Specialist for proposal review and other pre-award activities.  

• Provides direct assistance to faculty and faculty support staff on research proposal preparation with specific focus on budget preparation and proposal content and formatting requirements. 

Other 

• May assist with internal/external audits and other compliance reporting. 

• Recommend process improvements and assist with local procedures implementation. 

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum of three years of experience in research administration, financial operations or equivalent experience or training. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of related experience in an academic or related (hospital or non-profit) setting developing budgets for grant proposals, strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication, analytical thinking, and resourceful problem-solving skills are required. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as a team player with a diverse constituency. Ability to prioritize duties and meet multiple deadlines. Excellent customer service and ability to embrace change. Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion preferred. Strong skills in MS Excel, SharePoint, MS Office and ability to learn new software and systems (including web-based tools). Working knowledge of OMB circulars and other sponsored research regulations is preferred. Familiarity with Harvard University financial and research administration systems and external proposal submission systems preferred (Research.gov, NASA NSPIRES) helpful.

This position will be based in Cambridge MA. The department is currently operating with a hybrid workplace model. Individual hybrid work option for this role will be discussed during the interview process.