Research Administrator I (Finance)
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.
Position Summary:
The Research Administrator I provides standard and routine administrative and financial support for post-award research activities and services in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In addition to research grants, accounts to be managed for department include faculty funds, university funds, and gift funds. This position prepares various financial reports and projections for departmental faculty, meets frequently with said parties monthly to present those reports/projections and their analysis, and processes necessary corrections. The incumbent will work with the senior department administrator, SPARC, and RCA to be cognizant of the requirements in each fund/grant/contract administered.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented finance professional with experience in post award research administration. They excel at preparing and presenting financial reports, managing diverse fund types, and ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.
Workplace Requirements: This position entails work on Rice University's campus, with the potential for some remote work/flexible work arrangements.
Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.
Hiring Range: $60,000 - $65,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree
- 1+ years of experience in post-award research administration, financial reporting and analysis, or related
Skills:
- Intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency
- Proficient in office software for creating reports, tracking data, and managing communications
- Detail-oriented in financial reporting, reconciliations, and ensuring compliance
- Highly organized managing multiple accounts, deadlines, and faculty interactions
Preferences:
- Experience in higher education
Essential Functions:
- Provides support in the administration of research projects, including data entry, document uploads, and information collection
- Under supervision, reviews sponsor guidelines and assists the Principal Investigator (PI) with routine proposal preparation or other sponsored agreements
- Coordinates and communicates submission processes, ensures proposals are received in OSR, and updates specialists on deadlines, special concerns, or questions
- Prepares and coordinates non-budget proposal elements, and under guidance, reviews sponsor guidelines
- Serves as liaison between PI, Office of Sponsored Research, specialists, research groups, and other departments
- Ensures subcontract budgets align with Rice's budget guidelines and alerts the PI of discrepancies; confirms budget, matches sponsor budget and justification
- Downloads and updates reports for submitted proposals
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
