Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: VCU Benefits .

Position Summary:

As a member of the School of Medicine (SOM) Research Administration team, the selected candidate for this position will be responsible for providing direct pre-award administrative support to investigators conducting medical research in a variety of departments and centers at VCU.

The selected candidate will assist researchers and study teams in the development and successful submission of proposals for research funding. This position provides an opportunity for candidates with pre-award research administration experience to grow those skills in a fast-paced, diverse environment. The position will also present opportunities for career growth in the field of research administration for those presenting a willingness and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of faculty and staff across all School of Medicine departments.

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Candidates living outside the Richmond metro region are encouraged to apply, but may be required to come on-site on occasion (no more than twice annually) for in-service training and professional development activities. The selected candidate will also be eligible to receive a one-time sign-on bonus.

General Duties:

Pre-Award Research Administration - 80%

Work under the direction of your supervisor and SOM Office of Research Administration leadership to provide pre-award research administration support specific to the needs of SOM departments/centers and faculty investigators. Work directly with investigators on assigned proposal submissions to ensure proposals meet technical, administrative, and financial requirements, deadlines are met, and all SOM Research Administration Standard Operating Procedures and established policies/requirements of both VCU and sponsoring agencies are followed.

Will be responsible for managing the proposal development process and establishing necessary timelines with the investigators to ensure deadlines are met for all submissions assigned.

Pre-award duties could include:

1. Follow all SOMRA SOPs related to pre-award submissions
2. Create a management plan and communicate clearly with the Principal Investigators on submission requirements and assignments, ensuring roles, responsibilities, and timelines are clear for each proposal assigned
3. Prepare non-technical components of submissions seeking PI input where needed: budget, budget narrative, coordinating administrative requirements for subrecipients, preparing RAMS-SPOT submissions, completing sponsor forms, etc.
4. Ensure conformance of each submission with sponsor requirements and VCU policy
5. Prepare cost share authorizations and advance index requests, seeking department approvals as needed
6. Facilitate completion of compliance and training requirements with the PI

Creation, Formatting, and Maintenance of Other Support Documents - 20%

• Maintain compliant Other Support and Previous/Current/Pending Support documents for faculty participating in NIH and Department of Defense funded research

• Create and format compliant Other Support and Previous/Current/Pending Support documents for faculty as assigned for all sponsors (federal and non-federal) in sponsor-stipulated formats

• Work with faculty as assigned to coordinate/facilitate entry and maintenance of Other Support data in SciENcv

Minimum Hiring Standards:

Research Administrator: Bachelor’s degree and prior relevant work experience in a financial, compliance or research related field; 3 or more years prior research pre-award research administration experience preferred.

Candidates with 5 or more years of direct pre-award research administration experience may be considered for Senior Research Administrator slotting.

Must have skills or ability to acquire new skills in the following areas: review of and adherence to sponsor proposal guidelines; budget development; ability to interpret and apply complex government regulations and contractual terms; pro-actively ask questions and seek guidance when needed.

Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. Strong problem-solving and time management skills are essential, including ability to adapt to frequent changes in work assignments, prioritize, and manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision. Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe required. Ability to work in a diverse environment required.

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty/staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards:

Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree strongly preferred. Candidates possessing 3-5 years of direct pre-award research experience are preferred. Prior pre-award research administration experience in an academic medical center or other organization with significant NIH grant portfolio will be preferred.

Additional Information:

ORP Eligible: - NO

Hours / weeks - 40 hours weekly

Title Details: Research Administrator/Senior Research Administrator - Pre-Award

University Title: Research Administrator/Senior Research Administrator

University Code: (34211N-34213N) (34214N-34216N)

University Job Family: Research & Innovation

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health system's facilities, you will need to follow VCU Health System policies, which will include but will not be limited to, vaccination requirements.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.