Research Administrator

About the role

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY)! We are thrilled that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join our team.

Primary Location: The CITY COLLEGE of NEW YORK

Bargaining Unit: No

The Office of Research at The City College of New York (CCNY), under the Office of the Provost, supports and advances the college's research enterprise by providing strategic leadership, professional services, and administrative oversight for scholarly and creative activities across all disciplines. The office plays a central role in helping faculty and research staff secure external funding, maintain regulatory compliance, and manage sponsored program activity throughout the award lifecycle.

The Research Administrator is a mid-level professional responsible for providing comprehensive post-award support to ensure effective financial management, regulatory compliance, and smooth administrative operations for sponsored projects. Reporting to the Associate Provost for Research (or designee), the incumbent works closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), department administrators, and the Grants and Sponsored Programs (GSP) Office to ensure that awards are implemented, managed, and closed out in accordance with sponsor requirements and institutional policies.

This position requires strong communication, analytical, and customer-service skills, as well as the ability to interpret sponsor guidelines, manage multiple priorities, and guide faculty through complex administrative processes.

This is a hybrid position. Remote work arrangements are not a right or entitlement of employment and are subject to operational needs and the CUNY Flexible Work Guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Post-Award Financial Management
• Assist faculty and project staff in understanding the terms, conditions, and budgetary limits of their awards.
• Prepare and process payment requests, purchase orders, travel authorizations, and reimbursements.
• Reconcile project accounts monthly; identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with the GSP Office and RFCUNY.
• Manage procurement transactions, including vendor setup, invoice processing, and purchase card reconciliations.
• Personnel & Payroll Coordination
• Coordinate summer salary appointments, effort certifications, and supplemental pay for faculty and research personnel.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and personnel actions for grant-funded staff (e.g., graduate assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and hourly employees).
• Ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional personnel and compensation policies.
• Compliance & Documentation
• Maintain accurate and complete electronic and physical project files, including budget documents, approvals, correspondence, and financial records.
• Assist in monitoring compliance with sponsor regulations, CCNY/CUNY policies, RFCUNY procedures, and federal Uniform Guidance.
• Support the preparation of reports, documentation requests, and audits.
• Faculty Support & Training
• Provide individualized, hands-on guidance to faculty navigating post-award processes, systems, and forms ("hand-holding" when needed).
• Serve as the first point of contact for questions related to purchasing, travel, budgeting, and general post-award administration.
• Coordination & Liaison Responsibilities
• Act as a liaison with the GSP Office and relevant RFCUNY offices (Grants and Contracts, Procurement, HR, Payroll) to ensure timely and accurate processing of award-related actions.
• Collaborate with department administrators, college finance staff, and other stakeholders to streamline grant-related workflows and resolve administrative issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two (2) years of experience in research administration, grants management, sponsored programs administration, finance, or a related administrative field.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and experience with budgeting or financial reconciliation.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and sponsor guidelines.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex administrative processes to faculty and staff.
• Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., MS Office Suite, especially Excel).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, research administration, finance, or a related field.
• Three to five (3-5) years of progressively responsible experience in post-award administration within higher education, a research institution, or a nonprofit organization.
• Familiarity with federal regulations governing sponsored projects, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Experience working with grant administration systems such as RFCUNY's tools, CUNYfirst, Cayuse, or similar systems (e.g., Workday).
• Knowledge of procurement processes, payroll coordination, and HR procedures for grant-funded positions.
• Experience working with faculty researchers and comfort in providing individualized training or "hands-on" support.
• Certification in research administration (CRA, CPRA, or CFRA) or willingness to pursue certification.
• Ability to problem-solve administrative issues across multiple offices and maintain constructive working relationships.

Pay Range

$65,000 -$75,000