Research Administration Associate - Research and Sponsored Programs-Houston

TITLE

Research Administration Associate

JOB SUMMARY

The Research Administration Associate - Houston, provides IRB, pre-award, and post-award support to the Houston campus. The position is the primary support person for the Houston IRB and serves as the Cayuse Analyst to process Houston IRB protocols. IRB support may also include organizing IRB meetings and taking minutes, developing training sessions, and providing assistance to human subject's researchers with submission processes, status inquiries, and procedural requirements. This position will be the primary contact for principal investigators /project directors (PIs) pursing external funding through a variety of federal agencies and non-federal organizations through the life cycle of an award. During the pre-award phase, this position will provide guidance on the preparation, writing, review, and submission of proposals for extramural funding including the development of budgets, review and interpretation of guidelines, proposal routing and approval, and submission. This position will also provide post-award support in managing the funds and assisting PIs with the expenditures of their grant accounts, monitoring grant accounts, reporting on grant funds and a variety of budget-related compliance issues. Work is performed under general supervision and performance evaluation is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Director, Operations Research & Sponsored Programs

Supervises: No supervisory responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

* Provides support for daily activities of the Houston IRB.

* Provides assistance and guidance to investigators conducting human subjects research regarding IRB processes and procedures.

* Communicates with IRBs and PIs regarding submission processes, status, questions, etc.

* Reviews guidelines to determine eligibility and to highlight key points for PIs. When guidelines are long or complex, this may also include summarizing the guidelines into a proposal plan for faculty who are going to submit.

* Develops budget and review for adherence to funding agency and institutional budget guidelines.

* Identifies funding agency and institutional requirements (i.e., faculty release, conflict of interest, cost-share, etc.) and adherence to these requirements in order to complete routing and approval before submission.

* Works with different platforms for submission, especially NIH ASSIST, NSF Research.gov and Grants.gov. This will include completion of the administrative forms on those systems and proposal submission.

* Monitors grant accounts for budget adherence to university, state, and funding agency guidelines and work with other university offices and ORSP to resolve grant issues (i.e., grant accounting, payroll, procurement, cost-share, etc.)

* Provides budget projections of project expenses to determine need for additional funds, potential overruns, and requests to sponsors. Makes recommendations for corrections or budget transfers when needed.

* Monitors grant activity timeline and assist faculty with grant requirements.

* Assists with timely closeout of awards.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

* Identifies funding opportunities and makes these available to the campus.

* Provides proposal and budget assistance for internal funding programs.

* Orders equipment and supplies from various companies and follow up on orders and assists with travel when possible.

* Assists with management and scheduling of Houston Research Office space.

* Provides training to Houston campus for pre-award, post-award, and IRB-related areas.

* Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE

Three years of experience in research administration, grant management or research required. Experience in one or both of these areas is preferred: grant and research compliance (specifically IRB) and proposal development.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

May complete some or all work remotely upon approval via the University's Alternative Work Arrangement Policy.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

* Current knowledge of federal and other granting agencies, agency online systems, and federal Uniform Guidance cost principles.

* Knowledge and understanding of human subjects regulations.

* Ability to prepare budgets and monitor accounts using TWU fiscal reporting systems. Also requires a high level of proficiency with Excel.

* Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to interact with multiple constituencies in a professional manner.

* Ability to rapidly assimilate and retain University fiscal and academic policies, procedures, and practices.

* Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

Remote employees must have access to a reliable internet connection and a dedicated, properly equipped workspace at a fixed location. Please refer to Alternative Work Arrangements for Staff Employee, URP 05.620.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change

Texas Woman's University strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

Texas Woman's University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, veteran's status, or against qualified disabled persons.

All positions at Texas Woman's University are deemed security sensitive requiring background checks.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.