Department of Neurology | University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurology is seeking a qualified Post-Award Administrator to support research operations with a primary focus on post-award administration. This position is comprised of approximately 75% post-award responsibilities and 25% pre-award responsibilities. While the majority of day-to-day activities will focus on post-award management, the successful candidate will also perform pre-award functions and provide support throughout the full grant lifecycle.
The successful candidate will independently manage significant responsibilities and exercise sound judgment consistent with the scope of a Post/Pre-Award Administrator. By the fourth month of employment, the individual is expected to demonstrate the ability to perform both pre-award and post-award duties with a high degree of autonomy.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop, prepare, revise, and maintain grant and contract budgets using Microsoft Excel.
- Process and manage budget modifications, budget revisions, and no-cost extensions.
- Reconcile federal and non-federal research accounts and prepare financial summaries for faculty and departmental leadership.
- Review project expenditures to ensure costs are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and compliant with sponsor and institutional requirements.
- Monitor grant and contract expenditures throughout the award period.
- Prepare, review, and submit government applications, progress reports, and other sponsor-required documentation.
- Maintain award-related schedules, records, and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and apply sponsor, institutional, and departmental policies and procedures.
- Prepare routine financial reports and resolve standard post-award administrative issues.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and recommend operational enhancements to support research administration activities.
Qualifications and Skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to use Excel on a daily basis for budget development, financial analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Strong understanding of budget development, account reconciliation, and financial management principles.
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- An understanding that critical thinking and problem-solving are essential to success in this role.
- Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and develop effective solutions.
- Strong communication and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with faculty, administrators, and research staff.
Work Arrangement
This position may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement following an initial training period that requires 2 to 3 days per week on campus.
Key Enhancements
- Clearly emphasizes that post-award work is the primary day-to-day responsibility.
- Highlights Excel proficiency as a core requirement rather than a preferred skill.
- Strengthens language around critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Adds specific post-award duties, including budget modifications, revisions, no-cost extensions, and expenditure compliance review.
- Uses terminology commonly found in higher education and sponsored research administration job postings.
Performs pre- and post-award accounting duties for moderately complex grants and contracts. Prepares, negotiates, and monitors grants, contracts, and budgets. Maintains award-related schedules, prepares government applications and reports, and interprets policy and procedure. Monitors account activity, resolves routine issues, and prepares routine financial documents. Suggests operational improvements.
Using Excel to build budget, and basic formulas, ie. Add, subtract, multiply, division and round function are used daily. Independent work for the following areas: Grants & Contracts Submission, Project Monitoring/Reconciliation, Project Administration, Ensure Compliance with grant requirements, Managing timelines and deliverables, Prepares Financial reports/project narratives/documents.
Must be able to get around a university setting.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Grants & Contracts Specialist II (Pre & Post-Award)
- Job Family: Research
- Job Sub-Family: Grants & Contracts
- Campus: Pittsburgh
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: 1
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30-5:00
- Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.
- Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
- Required Documents: Resume
- Optional Documents: Not Applicable