Knight Campus Pre-award Research Administration Coordinator 2/ Senior

Department: Knight Campus

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: RAC 2: $63,000 - $75,000 Senior RAC: $72,000 - $82,000

Compensation Band: OS-OA06-Fiscal Year 2026-2027

FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

November 20th, 2026; position open until filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit resume and cover letter.

Department Summary

The Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact is an ambitious initiative designed to fast-track scientific discoveries into innovations that improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation, and the world. The campus creates the intellectual infrastructure to establish Oregon as a center for both research and development, making Oregon a place where companies can start up and grow. The Knight Campus is reshaping the higher education landscape in Oregon by training the next generations of scientists, forging tighter ties with industry and entrepreneurs, and creating new educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

The Research Administration unit provides full-cycle research and sponsored project administration from proposal development, proposal submission, award and contract set-up to post award administration and contract required financial reporting. Research Administration monitors relevant policy and regulation changes at the federal, state, and university level and provides support to Principle Investigators in change implementation. Research Administration is the chief liaison with the University's Sponsored Project Services unit, responsible for responding to audit requests from internal and external entities and a partner when engaging with University Research Compliance Services staff.

Position Summary

The Knight Campus seeks a highly motivated, organized, and communicative individual to provide high-level research administration support for the Knight Campus research portfolio. This position may be filled at either the Research Administration Coordinator (RAC) 2 or Senior Research Administration Coordinator (Senior RAC) level and will primarily support pre-award activities for up to 15 principal investigators (PIs).

The RAC provides comprehensive research administration and grant management services to Knight Campus faculty and affiliates. Working closely with PIs, this position proactively manages the pre-award process, including establishing internal deadlines, monitoring progress toward proposal completion, reviewing sponsor guidelines, ensuring compliance with sponsor and university requirements, preparing supporting documentation, developing proposal budgets, proofreading submission materials, and coordinating final proposal submissions. The RAC also generates activity and productivity reports and serves as a resource on compliance and budget-related questions.

This position regularly interacts with external sponsors and partners, faculty, staff, students, and administrative leaders across the university and beyond. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Research Administration, the RAC plays a critical role in supporting the Knight Campus''''s growing research enterprise and advancing its strategic research and innovation goals.

This position offers flexibility with a hybrid or remote work environment.

Additional Responsibilities for the Senior Research Administration Coordinator:

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the Senior RAC provides leadership in research administration by balancing exceptional customer service with institutional and sponsor compliance requirements. The Senior RAC contributes to the development and implementation of strategic goals, standard operating procedures, and operational best practices for research administration. This position exercises a high degree of independent judgment in research administration matters and may provide supervision, mentorship, and consultation to colleagues within the unit and across the Knight Campus. The Senior RAC also leads the development, testing, and implementation of new pre-award workflows, processes, policies, and protocols to support the continued growth and effectiveness of the Knight Campus research administration portfolio.

Minimum Requirements

RAC 2:

• A bachelor's degree AND at least two years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, administration of sponsored programs, and/or writing grant proposals. Two additional years of relevant work experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.
• One year of experience in developing, editing, and reviewing proposals, budgets, grants, and/or contracts for adherence to state and federal regulations.
• Six months' experience in an environment working with governmental and granting agency regulations pertaining to grants and contracts.
• Experience with proposal routing and submission systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, ASSIST, SciENcv, or comparable platforms.

Senior RAC:

• A bachelor's degree AND four years of progressively responsible experience in research administration or administration of sponsored programs in an institution of higher education or similar major research institution. Two years of this experience must include management of pre-award administration for NIH, NSF and/or DOD grants with knowledge of governmental and granting agency regulations pertaining to grants and contracts OR Eight years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and training.
• Experience with proposal routing and submission systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, ASSIST, SciENcv, or comparable platforms.

Professional Competencies

Both RAC levels:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities with overlapping deadlines and frequent interruptions while maintaining a high level of customer service and professionalism.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with close attention to detail.
• Effective customer service and communication skills, including the ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Senior Level:

• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements, including federal regulations, Uniform Guidance, federal cost accounting standards, and other administrative rules.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, interpret, and explain complex university, sponsor, and government policies, rules, regulations, and requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Both RAC levels:

• Professional certification in research administration (e.g., C.R.A.) and/or a bachelor''''s or advanced degree in research administration, business administration, management, public administration, or a closely related field.
• One or more years of project management experience related to research or grant administration in higher education, research organizations, or a related environment.
• Experience with budget and financial management.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and other software programs, including HRIS/FIS platforms and databases.

Senior Level:

• Master''''s degree in research administration, business administration, management, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience with research compliance.
• Experience with complex research or grant administration in higher education, including foundation awards and non-standard sponsored awards.
• Experience using additional software and tools, including Ad

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.

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