Senior Research Administrator - Ophthalmology

Department Summary
The Department of Ophthalmology at Boston Children's Hospital offers the latest and best in diagnostics and care for children with vision problems, no matter how simple or complex. The Department of Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s is believed to be the largest group of full-time practicing pediatric ophthalmologists in the United States. Boston Children’s pediatric ophthalmologists lead their peers in research that is advancing the way eye conditions are diagnosed and treated. Our experts have pioneered specialized diagnostic and surgical techniques for babies and children. We see more than 40,000 outpatients each year, and more than 1,500 surgical procedures are performed annually. We specialize in treating cataracts in babies and children, traumatic eye injuries, juvenile glaucoma, and a variety of other conditions and focus on patient-centered care.

Under the direction of the Research Administrative Director, performs pre and/or post-award functions. Prepares grant applications, coordinates required institutional reviews and approvals, and works with Principal Investigators to ensure timely submission of funding proposals. Processes financial transactions according to established policies and procedures and may advise PI on financial management of portfolio. Utilizes hospital financial systems to process and monitor financial transactions and reports. May oversee departmental administration of effort reporting and ensures timely submission of completed effort reports. Conduct sub-recipient monitoring as needed. May have signature authority on restricted funds.

Key Responsibilities

• Performs pre-award and post-award functions such as allocation of research labor costs across funding sources consistent with level of research effort and approve purchase requisitions. Coordinates departmental research effort reporting and ensures timely submission of certified effort reports in compliance with sponsor and institutional guidelines. Use institutional resources to maintain department records of grant awards and agreements.
• May help research staff identify sources of funding by maintaining knowledge of agency programs and disseminating information to staff.
• Works with appropriate institutional central offices (Research Administration, Research Finance, Accounts Payable, etc.) to submit sponsor reports, troubleshoot and resolve matters.
• Works with investigators to develop annual research/clinical trial budget; reconciles monthly expenses to budget; forecasts over/under expenditures and provides monthly status reports to the Principal Investigators. Performs other financial analysis as needed.
• Ensures timely renewal of grants and subcontracts and/or orderly closeout of completed sponsored activities, including the generation and submission of annual progress reports.
• Attends institutional training to keep skills current and knowledge up to date on sponsor regulations, Hospital policies, and emerging technologies.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: 

• High School Diploma/GED; Bachelor's preferred

Experience:

• 6 years of research administrative experience OR Bachelor’s degree and 4 year of research administrative experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal cost allocation principles to ensure the proper stewardship of sponsored funds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively resolve issues and mediate fair solutions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and database applications.
• Ability to independently seek out answers from the appropriate federal compliance and regulatory resource(s), grant publication, and/or the hospital technical expert(s).