Pre-Award Research Admin Reviewer (Hybrid/Remote Opportunity) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 516817

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Pre-Award Services

Union: PSU

Categories: Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About Research & Engagement

The UMass Amherst community engages more than 30,000 students, 1,400 faculty and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research project in many areas from basic to applied are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $200 million in 2021.

Job Summary

The Pre-Award Research Administrator - Reviewer is responsible for proposal review and submission; interpretation and implementation of Federal, State, and University regulations; provides education and training for sponsored and proposal development activities; serves as a resource person for faculty and staff and is a liaison with sponsoring agencies.

Essential Functions

• Review proposals to ensure that they are in compliance with University policy, sponsor regulations, and compliant with federal and state law. Review and analyze proposed subcontract relationships and documenting reasonableness of cost, verification of rates, sole source justifications and other required elements. Conduct pre-award negotiations with sponsor representatives. Ensure proposals are reviewed and submitted in a timely manner.


• Authorized to submit proposals to sponsoring agencies on behalf of the University at the discretion of the OPAS Director.


• Responsible for working with and also acting as a resource person for electronic submission systems such as NSF Fastlane, NIH Commons and other sponsoring agency portals or systems.


• Assist faculty and staff in all aspects of proposal preparation, support multi-disciplinary submissions and project development in collaboration with other key Vice Chancellor Research & Engagement (VCRE) units and staff in the Schools/Colleges, departments, centers or institutions. Cross train with the Pre-Award Research Administrators who specialize in Development (PARA-D) in order to foster a flexible team approach to the development, review, and submission responsibilities of the office.


• Responsible for monitoring sponsoring agency homepages and listserves for changes and updates to policies and procedures. Responsible for disseminating this information to the appropriate parties utilizing web page, email and other communication mechanisms Responsible for communicating proposal related subcontract procedures effectively to campus stakeholders.


• Collaborate on the development of training and outreach efforts such as workshops and web-based training tools with other VCRE units and staff in Schools/Colleges, departments, and centers/institutes. Train and mentor new Research Award Administrators and other campus research administration staff in areas relating to proposal development and pre-award research administration.

Other Functions

• Perform other related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.


• Provide functional supervision of the University research community with regard to compliance issues.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Financial Management, or related field including reading and writing intensive fields such as English plus five (5) years direct or transferable experience in pre-award processes, research and fiscal compliance, information technologies, and/or technology transfer in an academic, research institute, corporate, audit, or government environment.


• Experience applying federal rules, regulations, and policies (e.g., Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Federal Acquisition Regulations [FAR], Cost Accounting Standards [CAS]) to analysis of proposed sponsored programs or research activities or related transferable experience.


• Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and effectively balance service with regulatory compliance.


• Ability to work effectively, prioritize, and be flexible in a high-paced, high-volume professional environment.


• Outstanding organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, capable of self-direction, ability to deal diplomatically with people at all levels, a high degree of personal integrity and discretion, solid decision-making skills, and judgment.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Intermediate level of experience with Excel and Word.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Financial Management, or related field including reading and writing intensive fields such as English plus three (3) years direct or transferable experience in pre-award processes, research and fiscal compliance, information technologies, and/or technology transfer in an academic, research institute, corporate, audit, or government environment.


• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of regulations pertaining to sponsored programs.


• Experience with the development of budgets and/or proposals in accordance with agency or institutional guidelines under tight deadlines.


• Ability to interpret and translate programmatic needs into cost effective budget proposals to maximize funding opportunities.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours/week.


• May be required to work some nights & weekends.


• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.


• This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee's work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Nov 15 2022 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close:

Apply Now