Research and Grant Administrator
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO, USA
USD 58,200-61,500 / year
Posted on Dec 12, 2025
Job Summary
The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) at CU Boulder invites applications for two Research and Grant Administrator positions! These roles provide professional research administration services to A&S Principal Investigators (PIs), research personnel, and departmental staff. The roles interact with A&S constituents and act as a liaison to CU’s Procurement Service Center, Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), the Campus Controller’s Office (CCO). These positions assist in the administration of current awards. Secondary duties include assisting preparing and coordinating award proposals.
The expertise provided by these roles include an understanding of federal administrative requirements and cost principles, state regulations, sponsor restrictions, and university fiscal policies; an understanding of the administrative processes and procedures for the accounting and reconciliation of spending using sponsored funds; an understanding of the administrative processes and procedures for the preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals, both internal and external to the University; an ability to synthesize information to help investigators navigate campus and federal processes; and an ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and meet firm timelines.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) at CU Boulder invites applications for two Research and Grant Administrator positions! These roles provide professional research administration services to A&S Principal Investigators (PIs), research personnel, and departmental staff. The roles interact with A&S constituents and act as a liaison to CU’s Procurement Service Center, Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG), the Campus Controller’s Office (CCO). These positions assist in the administration of current awards. Secondary duties include assisting preparing and coordinating award proposals.
The expertise provided by these roles include an understanding of federal administrative requirements and cost principles, state regulations, sponsor restrictions, and university fiscal policies; an understanding of the administrative processes and procedures for the accounting and reconciliation of spending using sponsored funds; an understanding of the administrative processes and procedures for the preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals, both internal and external to the University; an ability to synthesize information to help investigators navigate campus and federal processes; and an ability to set priorities, manage time effectively, and meet firm timelines.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Sponsored Projects Management
- Build and maintain a knowledge base of university, federal, state, and funding agency procedures and policies.
- Be a resource in explaining a wide variety of sponsored projects funding mechanisms including grants, contracts, sub-contracts, fixed-price contracts, and gifts to department administration and faculty.
- Interact with the PI on a regular basis to ensure financial aspects of awards are proactively handled.
- Advise PIs on complicated or unusual projects.
- Maintain knowledge of OCG and CCO workflow for award setup, modifications, extensions, etc.
- Employ award-specific terms and conditions, funding agency requirements, and university policies and procedures for the appropriate use of restricted funds.
- Oversee project start-up including pre-award spending allowability, and creation of At Risk Project Speedtypes (ST), fabrication STs, and sub award Purchase Orders.
- Review new award documents and award modifications for terms and conditions, changes, and any other relevant information, entering information into financial projection.
- Maintain financial projections, reconciling accounts monthly to university finance systems and reviewing transactions/documentation to determine that expenditures are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and provide direct benefit to the award. Upkeeping these customized spreadsheets is necessary to successfully forecast and handle funds, and communicate critical financial information to PI's.
- Notify PIs monthly when accounts have been updated for month-end close, including relevant notes or questions, and generate additional reports and projections as necessary.
- Complete journal entries and budget journal entries as necessary.
- Provide oversight on personnel expenses and duration of appointments, collaborating closely with campus HR and departments to ensure approved personnel appointments and changes on a given award are completed in a timely fashion.
- Liaise, document, and track cost share requirements.
- Provide financial oversight on sub-awardees, including the reviewing of invoices, acquiring PI signature, and approval of invoices in MarketPlace.
- Facilitate the preparation and submittal of requests to OCG for timely No Cost Extensions, At-Risk Extensions, sub award modifications, and Sub award/ Participant Support Reallocations and changes in scope of work, budget revisions, PI or Co-PI change, transfer, or disengagement, requests for additional funding, and addition of new sub-awardees.
- Work with CCO and department to facilitate award closeouts.
- Assist departments in various other research finance-related actions.
- Assist with proposal budget and budget justification development, as needed.
- Regularly attend University trainings and meetings as a departmental and College representative.
- Seek opportunities for professional development within and outside of the University.
- Work with other units to provide research administration training opportunities as requests arise and time permits.
- Assist in developing and implementing improved procedures and systems for grants and contracts management.
What You Should Know
- Hybrid Schedule: Currently requiring at least 2-3 days a week on campus per University and College policies and guidelines.
- This can be subject to change based on the business needs of the department.
- New employees may be expected to be in-person 5 days a week during their department's onboarding and training.
- Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Monday - Friday
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this full-time position is $58,200 - $61,500.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be impactful. Be visionary. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience may substitute on a year-by-year basis.
- 1 year of relevant financial management experience including accounting, business administration, human resources, non-profit operations, and/or government proposal development.
What You Will Need
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 and Google Drive Applications with advanced proficiency in Google Sheets or Excel.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and on a team.
- Excellence in establishing work priorities, providing follow-through, and meeting established timelines.
- Ability to maintain effective lines of communication, including the ability to resolve disputes and negotiate.
- Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
- Excellence in responsiveness to emails/requests.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Bachelor or Master's degree from an accredited college/university.
- 2 years of relevant financial management experience including non-profit operations, human resources, business administration, accounting, or government proposal development.
- Previous experience with grants and contracts, including a solid understanding of the Uniform Guidance or FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations).
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) certifications, or related certification.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by date January 6, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.